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FOURTH 


ECLECTIC  READER 


REVISED  EDITION . 


VAN  ANTWERP,  BRAGG  & CO.,  4 


CINCINNATI. 


NEW  YORK. 


In  revising  the  Fourth  Header,  the  aim  has  been  — as  it 
has  with  the  other  hooks  of  the  Series — to  preserve  unimpaired 
all  the  essential  characteristics  of  McGuffey’s  Readers.  New 
pieces  have  been  substituted  for  old  ones  only  where  the  ad- 
vantage was  manifest. 

The  book  has  been  considerably  enlarged,  and  has  been  lib- 
erally illustrated  by  the  hrst  artists  of  the  country,  as  is  shown 
in  the  Table  of  Contents. 

It  can  not  be  presumed  that  every  pupil  has  at  hand  ah  he 
works  of  reference  necessary  for  the  proper  preparation  of  each 
lesson;  hence  all  the  aids  that  seem  requisite  to  this  purpose 
have  been  given.  Brief  notices  concerning  the  various  authors 
represented  have  been  inserted;  the  more  difficult  words  have 
been  defined,  and  their  pronunciation  has  been  indicated  by 
diacritical  marks;  and  short  explanatory  notes  have  been  given 
wherever  required  for  a full  understanding  of  the  text. 

Especial  acknowledgment  is  due  to  Messrs.  Houghton,  Osgood 
& Co.  for  their  permission  to  make  liberal  selections  from  their 
copyright  editions  of  many  of  the  foremost  American  authors 
whose  works  they  publish. 


Copyright,  1879,  by  Van  Antwerp,  Bragg  & Co. 


ECLECTIC  PRESS. 

VAN  ANTWERP,  BRAGG  & CO., 
CINCINNATI. 


/V\  II 
) ?T<? 


INTRODUCTORY  MATTER. 


Subject.  Page 

Punctuation  Marks 7 

Articulation 9 

Accent  and  Inflection 23 


SELECTIONS  IN  PROSE  AND  POETRY. 


Title. 


Author.  Page 


1.  Perseverance 

2.  Try,  Try  Again 

3.  Why  the  Sea  is  Salt 

4.  Why  the  Sea  is  Salt 

5.  Popping  Corn 

6.  Smiles 

7.  Lazy  Ned 

8.  The  Monkey  . . . . 

9.  Meddlesome  Matty 

10.  The  Good  Son 

11.  To-morrow 

12.  Where  there  is  a Will  there  is  a Way  . 

13.  Piccola 

14.  True  Manliness 

15.  True  Manliness 

16.  The  Brown  Thrush 

17.  A Ship  in  a Storm 

18.  The  Sailor’s  Consolation  . . . . 

19.  Two  Ways  of  Telling  a Story 

20.  Freaks  of  the  Frost 

21.  Waste  not,  Want  not 

22.  Jeannette  and  Jo 

23.  The  Lion 

24.  Strawberries 

25.  Harry’s  Riches 

26.  In  Time’s  Swing 

27.  Harry  and  his  Dog 

28.  The  Voice  of  the  Grass 

29.  The  Eagle 

30.  The  Old  Eagle  Tree 

31.  Alpine  Song 


.Charlotte  Elizabeth. 

T H.  Palmer. 
. . Mary  Howitt. 

. . Mary  Howitt. 


Mrs.  M.  B.  Johnson. 

. Celia  Thaxter. 
Mrs.  M.  O.  Johnson. 
Mrs.  M.  O.  Johnson. 
. Lucy  Larcom. 


. Charles  Dibdin. 
Henry  K.  Oliver. 
Hannah  Flagg  Gould. 


Mary  Mapes  Dodge. 


J.  T.  Trowbridge. 


. . Lucy  Larcom. 

Mary  Russell  Mitford. 
. . Sarah  Roberts. 


. . Dr.  John  Todd. 

. . W.  W.  Story. 

(iii) 


25 

28 

29 

32 


IV 


CONTENTS. 


Title. 


Author.  Page 


32.  Circumstances  alter  Cases  . 

33.  The  Noblest  Revenge 

34.  Evening  Hymn 

35.  How  Margery  Wondered 

36.  The  Child’s  World  . 

37.  Susie’s  Composition 

38.  The  Summer  Shower 

39.  Consequences  of  Idleness 

40.  Advantages  of  Industry 

41.  The  Fountain  . . . . 

42.  Coffee 

43.  The  Winter  King 

44.  The  Nettle 

45.  The  Tempest  . . . . 

46.  The  Creator  . . . . 

47.  The  Horse 

48.  Emulation 

49.  The  Sandpiper  . . . . 

50.  The  Right  Way 

51.  The  Golden  Rule 

52.  The  Snow  Man  . 

53.  Robinson  Crusoe’s  House 

54.  Robinson  Crusoe’s  Dress 

55.  Somebody’s  Darling 

56.  Knowledge  is  Power 

57.  Good-will 

58.  A Chinese  Story 

59.  The  Way  to  be  Happy  . 

60.  The  Giraffe 

61.  The  Lost  Child  . . . . 

62.  Which?  ... 

63.  The  Pet  Fawn  . 

64.  Annie’s  Dream  . . . . 

65.  My  Ghost 

66.  The  Elephant  . . 

67.  Dare  to  do  Right 

68.  Dare  to  do  Right 

69.  Wreck  of  the  Hesperus 

70.  Anecdotes  of  Birds  . 

71.  The  Rainbow  Pilgrimage 

72.  The  Old  Oaken  Bucket  . 

73.  The  Sermon  on  the  Mount 

74.  The  Young  Witness 

75.  King  Solomon  and  the  Ants 

76.  Rivermouth  Theater 

77.  Alfred  the  Great 

78.  Living  on  a Farm  . 

79.  Hugh  Idle  and  Mr.  Toil 

80.  Hugh  Idle  and  Mr.  Toil 

81.  Burning  the  Fallow 

82.  Dying  Soldiers  . 


. . Lucy  Larcom. 


T.  B.  Read. 
. Abbott. 
. Abbott. 
Lowell. 


Hannah  Flagg  Gould. 

Dr.  Walsh. 
James  T.  Fields. 
. . John  Keble. 

o . . Bingley. 


. Celia  Thaxter. 
. F.  R.  Stockton. 
Emma  C.  Embury. 
Marian  Douglas. 
. Daniel  DeFoe. 
. Daniel  DeFoe. 


J.  T.  Trowbridge. 
C.  P.  Cranch. 


. . Abbott. 

Mrs.  E.  L.  Beers. 


. Mrs.  S.  M.  B.  Piatt. 


. Thomas  Hughes. 

Thomas  Hughes. 
. . Longfellow. 

. Hall. 
. Grace  Greenwood. 
Samuel  Woodworth. 


S.  H.  Hammond. 
. . Whittier. 

T.  B.  Aldrich. 


. . Hawthorne. 

Hawthorne. 
Mrs.  Susanna  Moodie. 


89 

94 

97 

99 

103 

104 

109 

110 
113 
116 
117 
120 
121 

125 

126 
128 
132 
134 
136 
139 

143 

144 
147 

150 

151 
153 
156 
159 
162 
165 
168 
172 
175 
178 
180 
183 
186 
190 
193 
197 
202 
204 
207 
211 
213 
216 
220 
221 
224 
227 
230 


CONTENTS. 


v 


Title. 


Author.  Page 


84.  The  Seasons 


83.  The  Attack  on  Nymegen 

(Spring  . 
Summer 
Autumn 
Winter 

85.  Brandywine  Ford 
86.  Brandywine  Ford 
87.  The  Best  Capital 
88.  The  Inchcape  Rock 
89.  My  Mother’s  Grave  . 

90.  A Mother’s  Gift 


Motley. 
. H.  G.  Adams. 

Lowell. 
. Thomas  Hood. 
. C.  T.  Brooks. 
Bayard  Taylor. 
Bayard  Taylor. 
Louisa  M.  Alcott. 
. . Southey. 


. W.  Fergusson. 


233 

237 

237 

238 

238 

239 
242 
245 
249 
253 
255 


LIST  OF  ILLUSTRATIONS. 


Subject. 

Perseverance  .... 
Popping  Corn  .... 
The  Monkey  . . . 

Piccola 

True  Manliness 
A Ship  in  a Storm  . 

Two  Ways  of  Telling  a Story 

The  Lion 

Harry  and  his  Dog 
Circumstances  alter  Cases  . 
Evening  Hymn 
How  Margery  Wondered 
Susie’s  Composition 

Coffee 

The  Horse 

The  Sandpiper 
Robinson  Crusoe’s  Dress 
A Chinese  Story 

Which  ? 

Which  ? 

Dare  to  do  Right  . 

The  Old  Oaken  Bucket 
Rivermouth  Theater 
The  Attack  on  Nymegen  . 
The  Inchcape  Rock 


Artist.  Page 

. H.  F.  Farny. 

25 

W.  L.  Sheppard. 

35 

J.  C.  Beard. 

40 

. . F.  Beck. 

49 

W.  L.  Sheppard. 

53 

. H.  F.  Farny. 

56 

Schell  & Hogan. 

60 

. J.  C.  Beard. 

69 

. E.  J.  Whitney. 

81 

. H.  F.  Farny. 

92 

H.  F.  Farny. 

98 

. H.  F.  Farny. 

100 

W.  L.  Sheppard. 

107 

Granville  Perkins. 

117 

128 

H.  F.  Farny. 

135 

H.  F.  Farny. 

147 

Schell  & Hogan. 

158 

Mary  Hallock  Foote.  169 
Mary  Hallock  Foote.  170 
. . C.  S.  Reinhart.  185 

. Jerome  Thompson.  202 
H.  F.  Farny.  215 
H.  F.  Farny.  234 
. Samuel  Coleman.  251 


PUNCTUATION  MARKS. 


1.  The  Hyphen  (-)  is  used  between  syllables  and  be- 
tween the  parts  of  a compound  word;  as,  No-ble,  col-o-ny, 
and  paper-mill,  water-fall. 

2.  The  Comma  (,),  the  Semicolon  (;),  and  the  Colon 

( : ) denote  grammatical  divisions. 

Note.— These  marks  do  not  indicate  the  comparative  length  of  the 
pauses  to  be  made  where  they  occur. 

3.  The  Period  ( . ) is  placed  at  the  end  of  a sentence. 
It  is  also  used  after  an  abbreviation.  As,  God  is  love. 
Dr.  Eben  Goodwin. 

4.  The  Interrogation  point  (?)  denotes  a question;  as, 
Has  he  come?  Who  are  you? 

5.  The  Exclamation  point  ( ! ) denotes  strong  feeling ; 
as,  Oh  Absalom!  my  son!  my  son! 

6.  Quotation  marks  ( “ ”)  denote  the  words  of  another; 
as,  God  said,  “Let  there  be  light.” 

7.  The  Apostrophe  ( ’ ) denotes  that  a letter  or  letters 
are  left  out;  as,  O’er,  for  over;  ’t is,  for  it  is. 

It  also  denotes  the  possessive  case;  as,  John’s  hat. 

8.  The  Curves  ( ) include  what,  if  omitted,  would  not 
obscure  the  sense.  The  parenthesis,  or  words  included  by 
the  curves,  should  be  read  in  a low  key,  and  with  greater 
rapidity  than  the  rest  of  the  sentence. 

9.  Brackets  [ ] include  something  intended  to  exem- 
plify what  goes  before,  or  to  supply  some  deficiency,  or  rec- 
tify some  mistake. 

10.  A Dash  ( — ) denotes  a long  or  significant  pause,  or 
an  abrupt  change  or  transition  in  a sentence. 


(7) 


8 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


11.  Marks  of  Ellipsis  (***)  indicate  the  omission  of 
letters  of  a word,  or  words  of  a sentence;  as,  P****e 
J**n,  for  Prince  John;  the  *******  was  hung,  for  the 
traitor  was  hung. 

Sometimes  a long  line,  or  a succession  of  dots  is  used 

instead  of  stars;  as,  J n A s,  for  John  Adams; 

the  D . . e W m,  for  the  Duke  William. 

12.  A Brace  ( \ ) is  used  to  connect  several  lines  or 
words  together. 

13.  A Diaeresis  ( ) is  put  over  the  latter  of  two  vow- 

els, to  show  that  they  belong  to  two  distinct  syllables; 
thus,  cooperate. 

14.  A Section  (§)  is  used  to  divide  a discourse  or  chap- 
ter into  parts. 

15.  An  Index  ( JSST  ) points  out  something  that  requires 
particular  attention. 

16.  A Paragraph  ( ) denotes  a new  subject.  It  is 
used  in  the  common  version  of  the  Bible. 

17.  Certain  marks  (*,  +>  ||,  §,)  and  sometimes  figures 

and  letters  are  used  to  refer  to  some  remark  in  the  margin. 

18.  A Caret  (a)  is  used  in  writing,  to  show  that  some- 
thing is  omitted;  as, 

n her 

Maner.  I love  for  her  modesty  and  virtue. 

A A 


ARTICULATION. 


ELEMENTARY  SOUNDS. 

Articulation  is  the  utterance  of  the  elementary  sounds 
of  a language,  and  of  their  combinations. 

An  Elementary  Sound  is  a simple,  distinct  sound  made 
by  the  organs  of  speech. 

The  Elementary  Sounds  of  the  English  language  are 
divided  into  Vocals , Subvocals,  and  Aspirates . 

Vocals  are  those  sounds  which  consist  of  pure  tone  only. 
They  are  the  most  prominent  elements  of  speech.  A diph- 
thong is  a union  of  two  vocals,  commencing  with  one  and 
ending  with  the  other. 

Subvocals  are  those  sounds  in  which  the  vocalized  breath 
is  more  or  less  obstructed. 

Aspirates  consist  of  breath  only,  modified  by  the  vocal 
organs. 


VOCALS. 

Directions  for  Articulation. — 1.  Let  the  mouth  be  open,  and 
the  teeth,  tongue,  and  palate  in  their  proper  position.  2.  Pro- 
nounce the  word  in  the  Chart  forcibly,  and  with  the  falling  in- 
flection, several  times  in  succession ; then  drop  the  sub  vocal  or 
aspirate  sounds  which  precede  or  follow  the  vocal,  and  repeat  the 
vocals  alone. 


(9) 


10 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


TABLE. 


Long  Vocals. 


a, 

as  in 

hate. 

e, 

as  in 

eve. 

a, 

(C 

hare. 

3, 

u 

err. 

a, 

a 

far. 

h 

C( 

pine. 

a, 

a 

pass. 

o, 

u 

no. 

a. 

a 

fall. 

u, 

u 

tube. 

oo,  as  in  cool. 

Short 

Vocals. 

a, 

as  in 

mat. 

s, 

as  in 

hdt. 

e, 

U 

met. 

u 

us. 

i, 

(( 

it.' 

do, 

a 

book. 

Remark.— In  this  table,  the  short  sounds,  except  ix,  are  nearly  or  quite 
the  same,  in  quality , as  certain  of  the  long  sounds.  The  difference  con- 
sists chiefly  in  quantity.  As  a rule,  the  long  vocals  should  be  prolonged 
with  a full,  clear  utterance;  but  the  short  vocals  should  be  uttered 
sharply  and  almost  explosively. 

Diphthongs. 

oi,  oy,  as  in  coin,  boy.  | ou,  ow,  as  in  noun,  now. 

SUBVOCALS  AND  ASPIRATES. 

Directions  for  Articulation. — Pronounce  distinctly 
and  forcibly,  several  times  in  succession,  words  in  which 
these  sounds  occur  as  elements;  then  drop  the  other  sounds, 
and  repeat  the  sub  vocals  and  aspirates  alone.  Each  sub- 
vocal in  the  first  table  should  be  practiced  in  connection 
with  its  cognate  sound. 

Let  the  class  repeat  the  words  and  elements,  at  first  in 
concert ; then  separately. 

Select  words  ending  with  subvocal  sounds  for  practice  on 
sub  vocals;  words  beginning  or  ending  with  aspirate  sounds, 
for  practice  on  aspirates. 


FOURTH  READER. 


11 


COGNATE  SOUNDS. 


b, 

Subvocals. 
as  in  babe. 

P> 

Aspirates. 
as  in  rap. 

d, 

u 

rod. 

t? 

a 

at. 

g, 

a 

fog. 

k, 

a 

book. 

j> 

a 

judge. 

ch, 

u 

chat. 

v, 

a 

live. 

f, 

a 

file. 

th, 

a 

them. 

th, 

u 

myth. 

z, 

is 

buzz. 

s, 

a 

sink. 

zh, 

a 

azure. 

sh, 

a 

shine. 

w, 

a 

win. 

wh, 

a 

when. 

Remark.— These  eighteen  sounds  make  nine  pairs  of  cognate  sounds. 
In  articulating  the  aspirates,  the  vocal  organs  are  put  in  the  position  as 
required  for  the  articulation  of  the  corresponding  sub  vocals ; but  the 
breath  is  expelled  with  some  force,  without  the  utterance  of  any  vocal 
sound.  Let  the  pupil  verify  this  by  experiment,  and  then  practice  on 
these  cognates. 

The  following  sounds  are  not  cognates. 


SUBVOCALS. 


ng,  as  in  sing,  think, 

r,  (rough)  “ rule, 

r,  (smooth)  “ car. 

y,  as  in  yet. 

ASPIRATE, 
h,  as  in  hat. 

SUBSTITUTES. 

Substitutes  are  characters  used  to  represent  sounds  or- 
dinarily represented  by  other  characters.  The  following 
table  indicates  nearly  every  form  of  substitution  used  in 
the  language:  a few  exceptional  cases  only  are  omitted. 


l,  as  in  mill. 

m,  “ him. 

n,  “ tin. 


p<  PI 


12 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


TABLE  OF  SUBSTITUTES. 


a 

for 

e, 

as  in 

any. 

p 

for 

oo,  as 

in  to. 

a 

a 

o, 

a 

what. 

o 

u 

do,  “ 

would. 

c 

a 

Z, 

a 

suffice. 

6 

a 

u,  “ 

son. 

9 

it 

a 

plte. 

ph 

a 

V,  " 

Stephen. 

€ 

a 

k, 

u 

cap. 

ph 

a 

f,  “ 

sylph. 

ch 

u 

k, 

a 

ache. 

q 

a 

k,  “ 

liquor. 

9h 

it 

sh, 

a 

magh'ine. 

qu 

a 

kw,  “ 

quote. 

d 

a 

a 

soldier. 

s 

a 

sh,  “ 

sure. 

e 

a 

h 

a 

England. 

§ 

a 

zh,  “ 

ragure. 

e 

a 

a, 

a 

there. 

§ 

u 

z,  - 

roge. 

e 

a 

a, 

a 

feint. 

u 

a 

e,  “ 

bury. 

ee 

a 

h. 

a 

been. 

u 

a 

h “ 

bugy. 

f 

a 

v, 

tc 

of. 

u 

a 

e,  “ 

urge. 

g 

a 

j> 

a 

cage. 

U 

a 

oo,  “ 

rude. 

gh 

a 

f, 

a 

laugh. 

u 

a 

oo,  “ 

pull. 

gh 

a 

k, 

a 

lough. 

X 

a 

ks,  “ 

wax. 

1 

a 

e, 

u 

police. 

X 

a 

ksh,  “ 

noxious. 

i 

u 

e, 

a 

thirst. 

X 

a 

z,  “ 

Xerxes. 

i 

u 

y> 

a 

filial. 

3 

a 

gz,  “ 

examine. 

n 

a 

ng, 

a 

rink. 

y 

a 

e, 

myrrh. 

0 

a 

e, 

a 

work. 

y 

a 

i,  “ 

my. 

o 

a 

h 

a 

women. 

y 

a 

h “ 

hymn. 

6 

u 

a, 

a 

form. 

z 

a 

s,  “ 

quartz. 

VOCALS. 

Let  the  teacher  utter  each  word , and  then  its  vocal  sound,  and  let  the 
pupil  imitate  closely  and  carefully,  thus: 

Mate , a:  Rate , a:  Man , a:  Jar,  a:  etc. 

. — Mate,  rain,  say,  they,  feint,  gauge,  break,  vein,  gaol. 

. — Man,  pan,  tan,  shall,  lamp,  back,  mat,  stand, 
a. — Far,  hard,  ah,  aunt,  heart,  guard,  psalm, 
a. — Ball,  talk,  pause,  saw,  broad,  storm,  naught,  bought, 
a. — Was,  what,  wash,  swap,  nod,  blot,  knowledge, 
e. — Me,  tree,  sea,  key,  field,  ceiling,  people,  poli§e. 


FOURTH  READER. 


13 


e.— Mgt,  brgad,  said  (sgd),  says  (s£z),  frignd,  heifer,  leopard, 
gugss,  any  (gn'ny),  bury  (ber'ry). 
e. — Her,  clerk,  earn,  were,  durst,  first,  work,  myrrh, 
i. — Pine,  sign,  lie,  type,  sleight,  buy,  guide,  aisle,  choir, 

l. — Pin,  fountain,  been  (bin),  busy  (biz'y),  surfeit,  sieve, 
hymn,  build,  myth. 

i.  — Sir,  bird,  girl,  birch,  mirth,  birth. 

6. — No,  door,  loam,  hoe,  soul,  snow,  sew  (so),  yeomen, 
bureau  (bu'ro),  hautboy  (ho'boy). 

6. — Not,  blot,  chop,  throb,  bother,  body,  wan. 

6. — Nor,  born,  storm,  cork,  fork,  small,  stall. 

9. — Wolf,  wom'an,  bush'el,  would,  should,  pull, 
o. — Move,  who,  tomb,  group,  soup,  shoe,  dp,  lpge. 

6. — Love,  son,  flood,  front,  shove,  touch,  doe§,  tongue. 

06. — Wool,  book,  cook,  rook,  goodly. 

00.  — Food,  troop,  tooth,  goose,  spoon,  noon, 
u.— Use,  abuse,  beauty,  feud,  view,  adieu. 

u. — Rub,  sum,  sun,  such,  much,  tuck,  luck,  trouble, 
u. — Fur,  curl,  hurt,  burn,  turn,  spurn, 
u. — Full,  bull,  push,  bush. 

01,  oy. — Oil,  point,  voice,  noi§e,  boiler,  boy,  joy,  alloy, 
ou,  ow. — Our,  sour,  cloud,  owl,  now,  bow,  couch. 

SUBVOCALS. 

Let  the  sound  of  each  letter  be  given,  and  not  its  name.  After  articu- 
lating the  sounds , each  word  should  be  pronounced  distinctly. 

b. — Be,  by,  boy,  bib,  sob,  bite,  bone,  band,  bubble, 
d. — Deed,  did,  dab,  bid,  bud,  dead,  door,  indeed, 
g.— Go,  gag,  gig,  bag,  beg,  fog,  fig,  girl,  rag,  log. 

j. — Jay,  joy,  jig,  gill,  job,  judge,  ginger,  soldier. 

l.  — Lad,  led,  dell,  mill,  line,  lily,  folly. 

m.  — Me,  my,  mad,  mug,  him,  aim,  blame. 

n.  — No,  now,  nab,  nod,  man,  sun,  none,  noun. 

r.  (rough) — Rear,  red,  rough,  riot,  ripe,  rude,  ragged, 
r.  (smooth) — Form,  farm,  worn,  for,  ear,  manner. 


14 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


v.  — Van,  vine,  vale,  vivid,  stove,  of,  Stephen. 

w.  — We,  woe,  web,  wed,  wig,  wag,  wood,  will,  wonder. 

y.  — Ye,  yam,  yon,  yes,  yarn,  yoke,  yawn,  filial. 

z.  — Zag,  rose,  rise,  zone,  lives,  stars,  suffice. 

zh. — Azure,  osier,  usual,  measure,  rouge  (roozh). 
th. — Thee,  thy,  them,  blithe,  beneath,  those, 
ng. — Bang,  fang,  gang,  bring,  sing,  fling. 

ASPIRATES. 

f. — Fib,  fob,  buff,  beef,  if,  off,  life,  phrase,  laugh, 
h. — Ha,  he,  hub,  had,  how,  hill,  home,  hire,  horse, 
k. — Kill,  bake,  cat,  cow,  come,  chord,  black, 
p. — Pop,  pig,  lip,  map,  pipe,  pope,  apple,  path,  pile. 

s.  — Sad,  fuss,  miss,  cent,  cease,  sick,  sound,  sincere. 

t.  — Hat,  mat,  toe,  totter,  tint,  time,  sleet,  taught. 

sh. — Dash,  shad,  rush,  sure,  ocean,  notion,  passion,  chaise, 
eh. — Chin,  chop,  chat,  rich,  much,  church,  bastion, 
th. — Thin,  hath,  think,  teeth,  truth,  breath,  pith. 


SUBVOCALS  COMBINED. 

Utter  the  sounds  only,  and  pronounce  very  distinctly. 

r. — Bred,  brag,  brow,  brim,  brush,  breed,  brown, 
bz,  bst. — Fibs,  fib’st,  robs,  rob’st,  rubs,  rub’st. 
bd,  bdst. — Fibbed,  fib’d’st,  sobbed,  sob’d’st,  robbed,  rob’d’st. 
bl. — Blab,  blow,  bluff,  bliss,  stable,  babble,  gobble, 
biz,  blst. — Fables,  fabl’st,  nibbles,  nibbfst. 
bid,  bldst. — Fabled,  fabl’d’st,  nibbled,  nibbl’d’st. 

dr. — Drab,  drip,  drop,  drag,  drum,  dress,  drink, 
dz,  dst. — Rids,  rid’st,  adds,  add’st,  sheds,  shed’st. 
dl. — Addle,  paddle,  fiddle,  riddle,  needle,  idle,  ladle, 
dlz,  dlst. — Addles,  addl’st,  fiddles,  fiddfst. 
did. — Addled,  fiddled,  huddled,  idled,  ladled. 


FOURTH  READER. 


15 


fr.  — Fret,  frog,  from,  fry,  fresh,  frame,  free. 

fs.  fst. — Cuffs,  cuff’st,  stuffs,  stuff’st,  doffs,  doff’st. 

ft.  — Lift,  waft,  drift,  graft,  soft,  theft,  craft,  shaft. 
fts?  ftst. — Lifts,  lift’st,  wafts,  waft’st,  sifts,  sift’st. 

fl. — Baffle,  raffle,  shufflle,  muffle,  rifle,  trifle,  whiffle, 
fls,  fist. — Baffles,  baffl’st,  shuffles,  shuffl’st,  rifles,  rifl’st. 
fid,  fldst. — Baffled,  baffl’d’st,  shuffled,  shuffl’d’st. 

gr. — Grab,  grim,  grip,  grate,  grant,  grass,  green, 
gz,  gst— Begs,  beg’st,  digs,  dig’st,  gags,  gag’st. 
gd,  gdst. — Begged,  begg’d’st,  digged,  digg’d’st. 
gl— Higgle,  joggle,  straggle,  glib,  glow,  glaze, 
glz,  gist— Higgles,  higgl’st,  juggles,  juggl’st. 
gld,  gldst.— Higgled,  higgl’d’st,  joggled,  joggl’d’st. 

jd. — Caged,  hedged,  bridged,  lodged,  judged,  waged. 

kr,  — Cram,  crag,  crash,  crop,  cry,  creel,  crone,  crown. 

kw,  (qu). — Quell,  quick,  quite,  quote,  quake,  queen. 

ks,  kst,  (x). — Kicks,  kick’st,  mix,  mixed,  box,  boxed. 

kt,  kts. — Act,  acts,  fact,  facts,  tact,  tacts,  sect,  sects, 
kl. — Clad,  clip,  clown,  clean,  close,  cackle,  pickle, 
klz,  klst. — Cackles,  cackl’st,  buckles,  buckfst. 

kid,  kldst. — Cackled,  cackl’d’st,  buckled,  buckl’d’st. 

If. — Elf,  Balph,  shelf,  gulf,  sylph,  wolf. 

Id. — Hold,  mold,  bold,  cold,  wild,  mild,  field,  yield, 
ldz,  ldst. — Holds,  hold’st,  gilds,  gild’st,  yields,  yield’st. 
lz,  1st. — Fills,  fill’st,  pulls,  pull’st,  drills,  drill’st. 

It,  Its. — Melt,  melts,  tilt,  tilts,  salt,  salts,  bolt,  bolts, 
mz,  mst. — Names,  nanfst,  hems,  hem’st,  dims,  dim’st. 

md,  mdst. — Named,  nam’d’st,  dimmed,  dimm’d’st. 

nd. — And,  lend,  band,  blonde,  fund,  bound,  round,  sound, 
ndz,  ndst. — Lends,  lend’st,  hand,  hand’st. 
ndl. — Handle,  kindle,  fondle,  trundle,  brindle. 
ndlz,  ndlst. — Handles,  handl’st,  kindles,  kindest, 
ndld,  ndldst. — Handled,  handl’d’st,  kindled,  kindfd’st. 


16 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


nks,  nkst. — Banks,  bank’st,  sinks,  sink’st. 
nkd. — Banked,  clank’d,  winked,  thank’d,  flank’d. 

nz,  nst. — Wins,  win’st,  tans,  tan’st,  runs,  run’st. 
nt?  nts. — Hint,  hints,  cent,  cents,  want,  wants, 
nch,  nchd. — Pinch,  pinch’d,  blanch,  blanch’d, 
ngz,  ngd. — Hangs,  hang’d,  rings,  ring’d, 
nj,  njd. — Range,  ranged,  hinge,  hinged. 

pr,  — Prat,  prim,  print,  prone,  prune,  pry,  prank, 
pi. — Plant,  plod,  plum,  plus,  apple,  cripple. 

ps,  pst. — Nips,  nip’st,  taps,  tap’st,  mops,  mop’st. 

pt,  pts. — Adopt,  adopts,  adept,  adepts,  crypt,  crypts. 

rj.  rjd. — Merge,  merged,  charge,  charged,  urge,  urged, 
rd. — Card,  cord,  curd,  herd,  ford,  ward,  bird. 

rdz,  rdst. — Cards,  card’st,  herds,  herd’st,  cords,  cord’st. 

rk.  — Bark,  jerk,  dirk,  cork,  lurk,  work, 
rks,  rkst. — Barks,  bark’s t,  lurks,  lurk’st. 

rl.  — Marl,  curl,  whirl,  pearl,  whorl,  snarl. 

rlz,  rlst. — Curls,  curl’st,  whirls,  whirl’st,  twirls,  twirl’st. 
rid,  rldst. — Curled,  curl’d’st,  whirled,  whirl’d’st,  snarled, 
snarl’d’st. 

rm.  — Arm,  term,  form,  warm,  storm,  worm,  sperm, 
rmz,  rmst. — Arms,  arm’st,  forms,  form’st. 

rmd,  rmdst. — Armed,  arm’d’st,  formed,  form’d’st. 

rn.  — Barn,  warn,  scorn,  worn,  earn,  turn, 
rnz,  rnst. — Turns,  turn’st,  scorns,  scorn’st. 

rnd?  rndst. — Turned,  turn’d’st,  scorned,  scorn’d’st. 

rt.  — Dart,  heart,  pert,  sort,  girt,  dirt,  hurt. 

rts,  rtst. — Darts,  dart’st,  girts,  girt’st,  hurts,  hurt’st 
rch,  rchd. — Arch,  arched,  perch,  perched. 

sk.  — Ask,  scab,  skip,  risk,  skum,  bask,  husk, 
sks. — Asks,  tasks,  risks,  whisks,  husks. 

skd,  skst. — Asked,  ask’st,  risked,  risk’st,  husked,  husk’st. 
sp,  sps. — Gasp,  gasps,  rasp,  rasps,  crisp,  crisps. 


FOURTH  READER. 


17 


spd. — Gasped,  lisped,  crisped,  wisped,  cusped. 
st,  sts. — Mast,  masts,  nest,  nests,  fist,  fists, 
sw. — Swim,  swell,  swill,  swan,  sweet,  swing,  swam, 
str. — Strap,  strip,  strop,  stress,  strut,  strife,  strew. 

tl. — Battle,  nettle,  whittle,  bottle,  hurtle,  scuttle. 

tlz,  tlst. — Battles,  rattl’st,  nettles,  nettl’st. 

tld,  tldst. — Battled,  rattl’d’st,  settled,  settl’d’st. 

ts,  tst. — Bat,  bat’st,  bets,  bet’st,  pits,  pit’st,  dots,  dot’st. 

tw. — Twin,  twirl,  twice,  tweed,  twist,  twelve,  twain. 

tr. — Trap,  trip,  trot,  tress,  truss,  trash,  try,  truce,  trice. 

vz,  vst. — Gives,  giv’st,  loves,  lov’st,  saves,  sav’st. 

zm,  zmz.' — Chasm,  chasms,  prism,  prisms. 

zl. — Dazzle,  frizzle,  nozzle,  puzzle. 

zlz,  zld. — Dazzles,  dazzled,  frizzles,  frizzled. 

sht. — Dashed,  meshed,  dished,  rushed,  washed. 

shr. — Shrank,  shred,  shrill,  shrunk,  shrine,  shroud,  shrew. 

thd. — Bathed,  sheathed,  soothed,  smoothed,  wreathed. 

thz,  thzt. — Bathes,  bath’st,  sheathes,  sheath’st. 

ngz,  ngst. — Hangs,  hang’st,  brings,  bring’st. 

ngd,  ngdst. — Hanged,  hang’d’st,  stringed,  string’d’st. 

nks,  nkst. — Thanks,  thank’st,  thinks,  think’st. 

nkd,  nkdst. — Thanked,  thank’d’st,  kinked,  kmk’d’si, 

dth,  dths. — Width,  widths,  breadth,  breadths. 

kid,  kldst. — Circled,  circl’d’st,  darkle,  darkl’d’st. 

kl,  klz. — Circle,  circles,  cycle,  cycles. 

lj,  ljd. — Bilge,  bilged,  bulge,  bulged,  indulge,  indulged. 

lb,  lbz. — Alb,  albs,  bulb,  bulbs. 

lk?  Iks,  lkst,  lkdst. — Milk,  milks,  milk’st,  milk’d’st. 

lm,  lmz. — Elm,  elms,  whelm,  whelms,  film,  films. 

Ip,  lpd,  ipst,  lpdst. — Help,  helped,  help’st,  help’d’st. 
lv,  lvz,  lvd. — Valve,  valves,  valved,  delve,  delves,  delved 0 
lch,  lchd. — Belch,  belched,  filch,  filched,  gulch,  gulched. 
1th,  Iths. — Health,  healths,  tilth,  tilths. 

(4.  2.) 


18 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


mf,  mfs. — Nymph,  nymphs,  triumph,  triumphs, 
gth,  gths. — Length,  lengths,  strength,  strengths, 
rb,  rbz,  rbd,  rbst,  rbdst. — Curb,  curbs,  curbed,  curb’st, 
curb’d’st. 

rf,  rfs,  rfst,  rfdst. — Dwarf,  dwarfs,  dwarf’st,  dwarf’d’st. 
rv,  rvz,  rvst,  rvd,  rvdst. — Curve,  curves,  curv’st,  curved, 
curv’d’st. 

rth,  rths. — Birth,  births,  girth,  girths,  hearth,  hearths, 
rp,  rps,  rpd,  rpst,  rpdst. — Harp,  harps,  harped,  liarp’st, 
harp’d’st. 

rs,  rst. — Nurse,  nursed,  verse,  versed,  course,  coursed. 

thr. — Thrash,  thresh,  thrift,  throb,  thrush,  thrust,  throng, 
three,  thrive,  thrice,  throat,  throne,  throve,  thrill, 
thrum. 

thw. — Thwack,  thwart. 


EXERCISES  IN  ARTICULATION. 

Errors  to  be  Corrected. 


To  Teachers.— In  the  following  exercises,  the  more  common  errors  in 
articulation  and  pronunciation  are  denoted.  The  letters  in  italics  are 
not  silent  letters,  but  are  thus  marked  to  point  them  out  as  the  represent- 
atives of  sounds  which  are  apt  to  be  defectively  articulated,  omitted, 
or  incorrectly  sounded. 


A 


INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

Fa-t’l 

for  fa-ted. 

Sep-er-ate 

for 

sep-a-rate. 

reel 

“ re-al. 

tem-per-tmce 

U 

tem-per-ance. 

ras-ctd 

u ras-cal. 

wp-pear 

U 

ap-pear. 

crit-ic-td 

“ crit-ic-al. 

tem-per-d 

u 

tem-per-ate. 

test’ment 

tes-ta-ment. 

mod-er-zt 

u 

mod-er-ate. 

firm’ment 

“ fir-ma-ment. 

in-ti-imt 

u 

in-ti-mate. 

FOURTH  READER , 


19 


E 


INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

Ev’ry 

for 

ev-er-y. 

sev’ral 

for 

sev-er-al. 

b’lief 

ll 

be-lief. 

prov-i-dzznce 

ll 

prov-i-dence. 

pr’vail 

CC 

pre-vail. 

ev-i-dzznce 

ll 

evd-dence. 

r’tain 

ll 

re-tain. 

sidzznt 

Cl 

si-lent. 

trav’ler 

Cl 

trav-el-er. 

mon-u-mzmt 

cl 

mon-u-ment. 

flut’ring 

Cl 

flut-ter-ing. 

con-ti-nzznt 

Cl 

con-ti-nent. 

tel’scope 

Cl 

tel-e-scope. 

con-fi-dzznt 

cc 

con-fi-dent. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

E 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

D’rect 

for  dz-rect. 

rad’ cal 

for  rad-z-cal. 

d’spose 

Cl 

dzs-pose. 

sal’  vate 

“ sal-z-vate. 

Yan’ty 

Cl 

van-z-ty. 

can’bal 

“ can-nz-bal. 

ven-t’late 

cc 

ven-tz-late. 

mount’n 

“ mount-azn. 

ju-b’lee 

Cl 

ju-bz-lee. 

fount’n 

u fount-azn. 

rid’cule 

a 

rid-z-cule. 

vill’ny 

“ vil-lazn-y. 

o 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

Des’late 

for 

des-o-late. 

rhet-er-ic 

for 

rhet-o-ric. 

bist’ry 

CC 

his-to-ry. 

in-ser-lent 

ll 

in-so-lent. 

mem’ry 

CC 

mem-o-ry. 

croc-zzd-ile 

Cl 

croc-o-dile. 

col’ny 

cl 

col-o-ny. 

com-przzm-ise 

CC 

com-pro-mise 

ag’ny 

cc 

ag-o-ny. 

anch-zzr-ite 

ll 

anch-o-rite. 

balc’ny 

cc 

bal-co-ny. 

cor-per-al 

ll 

cor-po-ral. 

ob-s’lete 

cc 

ob-so-lete. 

ob-lzzq-quy 

ll 

ob-lo-quy. 

wil-ler 

cc 

wildozo. 

or-ther-dox 

ll 

or-tho-dox. 

wid-der 

Cl 

wid-ozo. 

czzn-di-tion 

Cl 

con-di-tion. 

pil-ler 

Cl 

pil-lozo. 

pzzs-i-tion 

It 

po-si-tion. 

mead-er 

Cl 

mead-ozo. 

tzzg-eth-er 

Cl 

to-geth-er. 

fel-ler 

cc 

fel-lozo. 

pzzt-a-ter 

cc 

po-ta-to. 

win-der 

cc 

win-doze. 

tzzb-ac-czzr 

ll 

to-bac-co. 

20 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


U 

The  most  common  mistake  in  the  sound  of  u occurs  in  words  of  the 
following  kind  : as,  create?*  or  crea-c/ioor,  for  creat-wre ; na -ter  or  na- 
choor,  for  nat-wre,  etc. 


INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

PRONOUNCED. 

Lec'-ter  or  lec'-choor 

for 

lect'-ure, 

l&eE-yur. 

fea'-ter  or  fea'-choor 

a 

feature, 

feaE-yur. 

mois'-ter  or  mois'-choor 

a 

moist'-ure, 

moisE-yur. 

ver'-der  or  verier 

u 

verd'-ure, 

verd'-yur. 

mix'-ter  or  mix'-cher 

a 

mixture, 

mixE-yur. 

rup/-ter  or  rup'-cher 

a 

rupt'-ure, 

riipE-yur. 

sculp'-ter  or  sculp'-cher 

a 

sculpture, 

seulpE-yur. 

ges'-ter  or  ges'cher 

a 

gesture, 

gSsE-yur. 

struc'-ter  or  struc'-cher 

a 

structure, 

strueE-yur. 

stric'-ter  or  stric'-choor 

a 

strict'-ure,  * 

strieE-yur. 

ves'-ter  or  ves'-cher 

a 

vest'-ure, 

vesE-yur. 

tex/-ter  or  tex'-cher 

a 

texE-ure, 

t£xE-yur. 

fix'-ter  or  fix'-cher 

a 

fixture, 

fixE-yur. 

vuE-ter  or  vuE-cher 

a 

vulE-ure, 

vulE-yur. 

for'-ten  or  for'-choon 

a 

forE-une, 

forE-yune. 

staffer  or  sta'-choor 

a 

staE-ure, 

staE-yur. 

stat'-ew  or  sta/-choo 

a 

statue, 

staE-yu. 

staE-ewt  or  sta'-choot 

a 

statute, 

staE-yute. 

ed'-di-cate  or  ed'-ju-cate 

a 

ed'-u-cate, 

gd'-yu-cate. 

H 

In  order  to  accustom  the  learner  to  sound  H properly,  let  him  pro- 

nounce  certain  words  without  and  then  with  it;  as  aft, 
etc.  The  H should  be  clearly  sounded. 

7iaft ; ail,  7iail, 

Aft 

/Taft 

Edge  . . 

. Hedge. 

Ail 

/Tail. 

Eel  ...  * 

. Heel 

Air 

//air. 

Ell  . . . 

. He  11. 

All 

/fall. 

Elm  . . . 

. Helm. 

Ark 

7/ark. 

Eye  . . . 

. High. 

Arm 

/Air  m. 

Ill  ... 

. Hill 

Art 

/Tart. 

It  . . . 

. Hit. 

Ash 

//ash. 

Old  . . . 

. Hold. 

At 

//at. 

Yew  . . . 

. He  w. 

FOURTH  READER. 


21 


D 

Final. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

An 

for 

an  d 

frien 

for 

friend 

lan 

ll 

land 

soun 

ll 

sound 

mine 

It 

mind 

groun 

Cl 

ground 

boun 

a 

bound 

fiel 

ll 

field 

K 

Final.  . 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

Fris 

for 

fris&. 

dus 

for 

dus&. 

des 

U 

des&. 

mos 

ll 

mos#we. 

tas 

ll 

tas&. 

tus 

ll 

tus/j. 

ris 

u 

ris&. 

hus 

It 

hus&. 

N for 

Ng. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

Morn-in 

for 

morn-ingr. 

shav-in 

for 

shav-in#. 

run-nin 

ll 

run-nin^. 

hid-in 

ll 

hid-in#. 

talk-in 

a 

talk-in#. 

see-in 

ll 

see-in#. 

walk-in 

u 

walk-in#. 

lov-in 

ll 

lov-in#. 

drink-in 

a 

drink-in#. 

fight-in 

ll 

fight-in#. 

si  id-in 

ll 

slid-in#. 

laugh-in 

ll 

laugh-in#. 

R 

Sound  the  R clearly  and  forcibly.  When  it  precedes  a vowel,  give  it 
a slight  trill. 


J?ule. 

ruin. 

rat. 

rug. 

reck. 

rate. 

reed. 

rill. 

rub. 

rig. 

rim. 

rite. 

ride. 

rise. 

red. 

rag. 

rick. 

rote. 

run. 

reek. 

rib. 

rob. 

rip. 

ruse. 

roar. 

roam. 

rack. 

rid. 

ripe. 

rouse. 

Arch. 

farm. 

lark. 

far. 

snare. 

for. 

march. 

barm. 

bark. 

bar. 

spare. 

war. 

larch. 

charm. 

mark. 

hair. 

sure. 

corn. 

starch. 

dark. 

are. 

stair. 

lure. 

born. 

arm. 

spark. 

star. 

care. 

pure. 

horn. 

22  ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


T Final. 


INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

Eas 

for 

eas£. 

wep 

for 

wept. 

moce 

U 

mos£. 

ob-jec 

(( 

ob-jec^. 

los 

u 

los£. 

per-fec 

a 

per-fec^. 

nes 

(t 

nes£. 

dear-es 

"k 

dear-es?'. 

gues 

u 

gues£. 

high-es 

u 

high-es^. 

TS 

Final. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

Hoce 

for 

hoste. 

sec’s 

for 

secte. 

tes 

u 

teste. 

bus 

(( 

buste. 

lif’s 

a 

lifte. 

cense 

(( 

cente. 

tuff’s 

tt 

tufte. 

ob-jec’s 

U 

ob-jecte. 

ac’s 

u 

acte. 

re-spec’s 

a 

re-specte. 

W for 

Wh. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT. 

INCORRECT. 

CORRECT 

Wale 

for 

W^ale. 

Wet 

for 

WAet. 

Weal 

a 

WAeel. 

Wine 

(< 

WMne. 

Wen 

u 

WAen. 

Wip 

(( 

Whip. 

SENTENCES  FOR  PRACTICE. 

Sentences  like  the  following  may  be  read  with  great  advantage,  for 
the  purpose  of  acquiring  distinctness  and  precision  in  articulation. 

This  ad,  more  than  all  other  ads,  laid  the  ax  at  the  root 
of  the  evil.  It  is  false  to  say  he  had  no  other  faults . 

The  hosts  still  stand  in  strangest  plight.  That  las£  still 
night.  That  laste  till  night.  On  either  side  an  ocean 

exists.  On  neither  side  a notion  exists.  Among  the  rugged 

rocks  the  restless  ranger  ran.  I said  pop-u-lar,  not  pop’lar. 
I said  pre-vail,  not  prevail.  I said  be-hold,  not  b’hold. 

Think? st  thou  so  meanly  of  my  PAocion?  Henceforth  look 
to  your  hearths.  Canst  thou  minister  to  a mind  diseased? 
A thousand  shrieks  for  hopeless  mercy  call. 


FOURTH  READER. 


23 


ACCENT. 

Accent,  marked  thus  ('),  is  an  increased  force  of  voice 
upon  some  one  syllable  of  a word;  as, 

Col'o-ny,  bot'a-ny;  re-menFber,  im-port'ant;  rec-ol-lecF,  rep- 
re-sen  V.  In  the  words  col' o-ny  and  hot' a-ny,  the  first  syllable  is 
accented.  In  the  words  re-mem'ber  and  im-port'ant , the  second 
syllable  is  accented.  In  the  words  rec-ol-lect ' and  rep-re-sent' , 
the  third  syllable  is  accented. 


INFLECTION. 

Inflection  is  an  upward  or  downward  slide  of  the  voice. 
The  Rising  Inflection,  sometimes  marked  thus  ('),  is  an 
upward  slide  of  the  voice. 


EXAMPLES. 

Has  he  come'?  to  be  read  thus:  . Has  he  coltne  • 

Has  he  gone'? Has  he  gone^ 

Are  you  sick'? Are  you  sick^ 

Will  you  go'? Will  you  g0<^ 

Are  they  here'? Are  they 


The  Falling  Inflection,  marked  thus  ('),  is  a downward 
slide  of  the  voice. 


EXAMPLES. 


They  are  here\ 
He  has  gone\ 
He  has  come\ 

I will  go\  . 

I am  well. 


They  are  here . 
He  has  gone 
He  has  come. 

I will  go. 

I am  Well 


To  be  read  thus: 


24 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


Let  the  pupil  practice  these  examples  until  he  is  perfectly 
familiar  with  the  rising  and  falling  inflections. 


Are  you  or 

Will  you  or 

Did  he  or  ^? 

Is  it  or  ^%? 

Is  he  or  ^°°/»? 

Are  they  or 

Did  you  say  or  ? 

I said  ^5  not 

Did  you  say  or  ? 

I said  not 

Is  the  dog  white',  or  black'?  The  dog  is  black',  not 
white'.  Did  you  say  and',  or  hand'?  I said  and',  not 
hand'.  Is  the  tree  large',  or  small'?  The  tree  is  small', 
not  large'.  Are  the  apples  sweet',  or  sour'?  The  apples 
are  sour',  not  sweet'.  Is  the  tide  high',  or  low'?  The  tide 
is  high',  not  low'.  Did  you  say  play',  or  pray'?  I said 
pray',  not  play'. 


I.  PERSEVERANCE. 

1.  “Will  you  give  my  kite  a lift?”  said  my  little 
nephew  to  his  sister,  after  trying  in  vain  to  make  it  fly 
by  dragging  it  along  the  ground.  Lucy  very  kindly 
took  it  up  and  threw  it  into  the  air,  but,  her  brother 
neglecting  to  run  off  at  the  same  moment,  the  kite 
fell  down  again. 


(25) 


26 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


2.  “Ah!  now,  how  awkward  you  are!”  said  the  little 
fellow.  “It  was  your  fault  entirely,”  answered  his  sis- 
ter. “Try  again,  children,”  said  I. 

3.  Lucy  once  more  took  up  the  kite.  But  now  John 
was  in  too  great  a hurry;  he  ran  off  so  suddenly  that 
he  twitched  the  kite  out  of  her  hand,  and  it  fell  flat  as 
before.  “Well,  who  is  to  blame  now?”  asked  Lucy. 
“Try  again,”  said  I. 

4.  They  did,  and  with  more  care;  but  a side  wind 
coming  suddenly,  as  Lucy  let  go  the  kite,  it  was  blown 
against  some  shrubs,  and  the  tail  became  entangled  in  a 
moment,  leaving  the  poor  kite  hanging  with  its  head 
downward. 

5.  “There,  there!”  exclaimed  John,  “that  comes  of 
your  throwing  it  all  to  one  side.”  “As  if  I could 
make  the  wind  blow  straight,”  said  Lucy.  In  the 
meantime,  I went  to  the  kite’s  assistance;  and  having 
disengaged  the  long  tail,  I rolled  it  up,  saying,  “Come, 
children,  there  are  too  many  trees  here;  let  us  find  a 
more  open  space,  and  then  try  again.” 

6.  We  presently  found  a nice  grass-plot,  at  one  side  of 
which  I took  my  stand;  and  all  things  being  prepared, 
I tossed  the  kite  up  just  as  little  John  ran  off.  It  rose 
with  all  the  dignity  of  a balloon,  and  promised  a lofty 
flight;  but  John,  delighted  to  find  it  pulling  so  hard  at 
the  string,  stopped  short  to  look  upward  and  admire. 
The  string  slackened,  the  kite  wavered,  and,  the  wind 
not  being  very  favorable,  down  came  the  kite  to  the 
grass.  “O  John,  you  should  not  have  stopped,”  said  I. 
“However,  try  again.” 

7.  “ I won’t  try  any  more,”  replied  he,  rather  sul- 
lenly. “It  is  of  no  use,  you  see.  The  kite  won’t  fly, 
and  I don’t  want  to  be  plagued  with  it  any  longer.” 
“Oh,  fie,  my  little  man!  would  you  give  up  the  sport, 


FOURTH  READER. 


27 


after  all  the  pains  we  have  taken  both  to  make  and  to 
fly  the  kite?  A few  disappointments  ought  not  to  dis- 
courage us.  Come,  I have  wound  up  your  string,  and 
now  try  again.” 

8.  And  he  did  try,  and  succeeded,  for  the  kite  was 
carried  upward  on  the  breeze  as  lightly  as  a feather; 
and  when  the  string  was  all  out,  John  stood  in  great 
delight,  holding  fast  the  stick  and  gazing  on  the  kite, 
which  now  seemed  as  a little  white  speck  in  the  blue 
sky.  “ Look,  look,  aunt,  how  high  it  flies!  and  it 
pulls  like  a team  of  horses,  so  that  I can  hardly  hold 
it.  I wish  I had  a mile  of  string:  I am  sure  it  would 
go  to  the  end  of  it.” 

9.  After  enjoying  the  sight  as  long  as  he  pleased, 
little  John  proceeded  to  roll  up  the  string  slowly;  and 
when  the  kite  fell,  he  took  it  up  with  great  glee,  say- 
ing that  it  was  not  at  all  hurt,  and  that  it  had  be- 
haved very  well.  “ Shall  we  come  out  to-morrow,  aunt, 
after  lessons,  and  try  again?” 

10.  “I  have  no  objection,  my  dear,  if  the  weather 
is  fine.  And  now,  as  we  walk  home,  tell  me  what 
you  have  learned  from  your  morning’s  sport.”  “ I 
have  learned  to  fly  my  kite  properly.”  “You  may 
thank  aunt  for  it,  brother,”  said  Lucy,  “ for  you  would 
have  given  it  up  long  ago,  if  she  had  not  persuaded 
you  to  try  again.” 

11.  “Yes,  dear  children,  I wish  to  teach  you  the 
value  of  perseverance,  even  when  nothing  more  de- 
pends upon  it  than  the  flying  of  a kite.  Whenever 
you  fail  in  your  attempts  to  do  any  good  thing,  let 
your  motto  be,  try  again.” 

Definitions. — In  defining  words,  that  meaning  is  given 
which  is  appropriate  to  them  in  the  connection  in  which  they 
are  used. 


28 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


4.  En-tan'gled,  twisted  in,  disordered . 5.  As-sist'ar^e,  help,  aid . 

Dis-en-gaged/,  cleared,  set  free.  6.  Grass'-plht,  a space  covered  with 
grass.  Dig'ni-tv,  majestic  manner.  7.  Dis-ap-point'ments,  fail- 
ures or  defeats  of  expectation.  Dis-cour'age,  take  away  courage. 
9.  Glee,  joy.  11.  Per-se-ver'anye,  continuance  in  any  thing  once 
begun.  M6t/to,  a short  sentence  or  a word  full  of  meaning. 

Exercises. — What  is  the  subject  of  this  lesson?  Why  was 
John  discouraged  in  his  attempts  to  fly  his  kite?  What  did 
his  aunt  say  to  him?  What  may  we  learn  from  this?  What 
should  be  our  motto  if  we  expect  to  be  successful? 


II.  TRY,  TRY  AGAIN. 

lo  ’Tis  a lesson  you  should  heed, 

Try,  try  again; 

If  at  first  you  don’t  succeed, 

Try,  try  again; 

Then  your  courage  should  appear, 

For,  if  you  will  persevere, 

You  will  conquer,  never  fear; 

Try,  try  again. 

2.  Once  or  twice  though  you  should  fail, 

Try,  try  again; 

If  you  would  at  last  prevail, 

Try,  try  again; 

If  we  strive,  ;tis  no  disgrace 
Though  we  do  not  win  the  race; 
What  should  you  do  in  the  case? 

Try,  try  again. 

3.  If  you  find  your  task  is  hard, 

Try,  try  again; 


FOURTH  READER . 


29 


Time  will  bring  you  your  reward, 

Try,  try  again. 

All  that  other  folks  can  do, 

Why,  with  patience,  should  not  you? 

Only  keep  this  rule  in  view : 

Try,  try  again. 

Definitions. — 1.  Courtage,  resolution.  C5n/quer,  gain  the  vic- 
tory. 2.  Pre-vail7,  overcome.  Dis-graqe7,  shame.  Win,  gain,  ob- 
tain. 3.  Re-ward7,  any  thing  given  in  return  for  good  or  bad  con - 
duct.  PaZ-tienge,  constancy  in  labor. 

Exercises.  — What  does  the  mark  before  “ ’T  is  ” mean  ? 
What  is  it  called?  What  point  is  used  after  the  word  “case” 
in  the  second  verse?  Why? 


in.  WHY  THE  SEA  IS  SALT. 

A Fairy  Tale. 

Mary  Howitt  was  born  in  1804,  at  Coleford,  England.  She  has  written 
many  charming  stories  for  children  in  prose  and  verse,  and  has  also 
translated  many  from  Swedish,  Danish,  and  German  authors.  This 
story  is  arranged  from  one  in  a collection  named  “ Peter  Drake’s  Dream, 
and  Other  Stories.” 

1.  There  were,  in  very  ancient  times,  two  brothers, 
one  of  whom  was  rich,  and  the  other  poor.  Christmas 
was  approaching,  but  the  poor  man  had  nothing  in 
the  house  for  a Christmas  dinner;  so  he  went  to  his 
brother  and  asked  him  for  a trifling  gift. 

2.  The  rich  man  was  ill-natured,  and  when  he  heard 
his  brother’s  request  he  looked  very  surly.  But  as 
Christmas  is  a time  when  even  the  worst  people  give 
gifts,  he  took  a fine  ham  down  from  the  chimney, 
where  it  was  hanging  to  smoke,  threw  it  at  his 
brother,  and  bade  him  begone  and  never  to  let  him 
see  his  face  again. 


30 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


3.  The  poor  man  thanked  his  brother  for  the  ham, 
put  it  under  his  arm,  and  went  his  way.  He  had  to 
pass  through  a great  forest  on  his  way  home.  When 
he  had  reached  the  thickest  part  of  it,  he  saw  an  old 
man,  with  a long,  white  beard,  hewing  timber.  “Good 
evening,”’  said  he  to  him. 

4.  “Good  evening,”  returned  the  old  man,  raising 
himself  up  from  his  work,  and  looking  at  him. 
“ That  is  a fine  ham  you  are  carrying.”  On  this,  the 
poor  man  told  him  all  about  it. 

5.  “ It  is  lucky  for  you,”  said,  the  old  man,  “ that 
you  have  met  with  me.  If  you  will  take  that  ham 
into  the  land  of  the  dwarfs,  the  entrance  to  which  lies 
just  under  the  roots  of  this  tree,  you  can  make  a cap- 
ital bargain  with  it;  for  the  dwarfs  are  very  fond  of 
ham,  and  rarely  get  any.  But  mind  what  I say:  you 
must  not  sell  it  for  money,  but  demand  for  it  the  ‘old 
hand-mill  which  stands  behind  the  door/  When  you 
come  back,  I’ll  show  you  how  to  use  it.” 

6.  The  poor  man  thanked  his  new  friend,  who 
showed  him  the  door  under  a stone  below  the  roots  of 
the  tree,  and  by  this  door  he  entered  into  the  land  of 
the  dwarfs.  No  sooner  had  he  set  his  foot  in  it,  than 
the  dwarfs  swarmed  about  him,  attracted  by  the  smell 
of  the  ham.  They  offered  him  queer,  old-fashioned 
money  and  gold  and  silver  ore  for  it;  but  he  refused 
all  their  tempting  offers,  and  said  that  he  would  sell 
it  only  for  the  old  hand-mill  behind  the  door. 

7.  At  this,  the  dwarfs  held  up  their  little  old  hands, 
and  looked  quite  perplexed.  “We  can  not  make  a 
bargain,  it  seems,”  said  the  poor  man,  “so  I’ll  bid  you 
all  a good  day.” 

8.  The  fragrance  of  the  ham  had  by  this  time 
reached  the  remote  parts  of  dwarf-land.  The  dwarfs 


FOURTH  READER . 


31 


came  flocking  around  in  little  troops,  leaving  their 
work  of  digging  out  precious  ores,  eager  for  the  ham. 

9.  “Let  him  have  the  old  mill,”  said  some  of  the 
new-comers;  “it  is  quite  out  of  order,  and  he  don’t 
know  how  to  use  it.  Let  him  have  it,  and  we  will 
have  the  ham.” 

10.  So  the  bargain  was  made.  The  poor  man  took 
the  old  hand-mill,  which  was  a little  thing  not  half  so 
large  as  the  ham,  and  went  back  to  the  woods.  Here 
the  old  man  showed  him  how  to  use  it.  All  this  had 
taken  up  a great  deal  of  time,  and  it  was  midnight 
before  he  reached  home. 

11.  “Where  in  the  world  have  you  been?”  said  his 
wife.  “Here  I have  been  waiting  and  waiting,  and 
we  have  no  wood  to  make  a fire,  nor  any  thing  to  put 
into  the  porridge-pot  for  our  Christmas  supper.” 

12.  The  house  was  dark  and  cold;  but  the  poor 
man  bade  his  wife  wait  and  see  what  would  happen. 
He  placed  the  little  hand-mill  on  the  table,  and  began 
to  turn  the  crank.  First,  out  there  came  some  grand, 
lighted  wax-candles,  and  a fire  on  the  hearth,  and  a por- 
ridge-pot boiling  over  it,  because  in  his  mind  he  said 
they  should  come  first.  Then  he  ground  out  a table- 
cloth, and  dishes,  and  spoons,  and  knives  and  forks. 

13.  He  was  himself  astonished  at  his  good  luck,  as 
you  may  believe;  and  his  wife  was  almost  beside  her* 
self  with  joy  and  astonishment.  Well,  they  had  a 
capital  supper;  and  after  it  was  eaten,  they  ground 
out  of  the  mill  every  possible  thing  to  make  their 
house  and  themselves  warm  and  comfortable.  So  they 
had  a merry  Christmas  eve  and  morning. 

Definitions. — 1.  Trifling,  of  small  value.  5.  Hand-mill,  a 
mill  turned  by  hand.  6.  At-traet/ed,  drawn  to , allured.  7.  Per- 
plexed7, puzzled.  8.  Fra/grange,  sweetness  of  smell. 


32 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


IV.  WHY  THE  SEA  IS  SALT. 

(Concluded.) 

1.  When  the  people  went  by  the  house  to  church, 
the  next  day,  they  could  hardly  believe  their  eyes. 
There  was  glass  in  the  windows  instead  of  a wooden 
shutter,  and  the  poor  man  and  his  wife,  dressed  in  nice 
new  clothes,  were  seen  devoutly  kneeling  in  the  church. 

2.  “ There  is  something  very  strange  in  all  this,” 
said  every  one.  “ Something  very  strange  indeed,” 
said  the  rich  man,  when  three  days  afterwards  he  re- 
ceived an  invitation  from  his  once  poor  brother  to  a 
grand  feast.  And  what  a feast  it  was!  The  table 
was  covered  with  a cloth  as  white  as  snow,  and  the 
dishes  were  all  of  silver  or  gold.  The  rich  man  could 
not,  in  his  great  house,  and  with  all  his  wealth,  set 
out  such  a table. 

3.  “ Where  did  you  get  all  these  things  ? ” ex- 
claimed he.  His  brother  told  him  all  about  the  bar- 
gain he  had  made  with  the  dwarfs,  and  putting  the 
mill  on  the  table,  ground  out  boots  and  shoes,  coats 
and  cloaks,  stockings,  gowns,  and  blankets,  and  bade 
his  wife  give  them  to  the  poor  people  that  had  gath- 
ered about  the  house  to  get  a sight  of  the  grand  feast 
the  poor  brother  had  made  for  the  rich  one. 

4.  The  rich  man  was  very  envious  of  his  brother’s 
good  fortune,  and  wanted  to  borrow  the  mill,  intend- 
ing— for  he  was  not  an  honest  man — never  to  return 
it  again.  His  brother  would  not  lend  it,  for  the  old 
man  with  the  white  beard  had  told  him  never  to  sell 
or  lend  it  to  any  one. 

5.  Some  years  went  on,  and,  at  last,  the  possessor 
of  the  mill  built  himself  a grand  castle  on  a rock  by 


FOURTH  READER. 


33 


the  sea,  facing  the  west.  Its  windows,  reflecting  the 
golden  sunset,  could  be  seen  far  out  from  the  shore. 
It  became  a noted  landmark  for  sailors.  Strangers 
from  foreign  parts  often  came  to  see  this  castle  and 
the  wonderful  mill  of  which  the  most  extraordinary 
tales  were  told. 

6.  At  length,  a great  foreign  merchant  came,  and 
when  he  had  seen  the  mill,  inquired  whether  it  would 
grind  salt.  Being  told  that  it  would,  he  wanted  to 
buy  it;  for  he  traded  in  salt,  and  thought  that  if  he 
owned  it  he  could  supply  all  his  customers  without 
taking  long  and  dangerous  voyages. 

7.  The  man  would  not  sell  it,  of  course.  He  was 
so  rich  now  that  he  did  not  want  to  use  it  for  himself; 
but  every  Christmas  he  ground  out  food  and  clothes 
and  coal  for  the  poor,  and  nice  presents  for  the  little 
children.  So  he  rejected  all  the  offers  of  the  rich 
merchant.  The  merchant,  however,  determined  to 
have  it;  he  bribed  one  of  the  man’s  servants  to  let 
him  go  into  the  castle  at  night,  and  he  stole  the  mill 
and  sailed  away  with  it  in  triumph. 

8.  He  had  scarcely  got  out  to  sea,  before  he  de- 
termined to  set  the  mill  to  work.  “Now,  mill,  grind 
salt,”  said  he;  “grind  salt  with  all  your  might!  — 
Salt,  salt,  and  nothing  but  salt!”  The  mill  began  to 
grind  and  the  sailors  to  fill  the  sacks;  but  these  were 
soon  full,  and  in  spite  of  all  that  could  be  done,  it 
began  to  fill  the  ship. 

9.  The  dishonest  merchant  was  now  very  much 
frightened.  What  was  to  be  done?  The  mill  would 
not  stop  grinding;  and  at  last  the  ship  was  over- 
loaded, and  down  it  went,  making  a great  whirlpool 
where  it  sank.  The  ship  soon  went  to  pieces;  but  the 
mill  stands  on  the  bottom  of  the  sea,  and  keeps  grind- 


34 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


ing  out  “salt,  salt,  nothing  but  salt!”  That  is  the 
reason,  say  the  peasants  of  Denmark  and  Norway, 
why  the  sea  is  salt. 

Definitions. — 1.  De-vout'ly,  in  a reverent  manner . 5.  Ke- 

fl&ct'ing,  throwing  hack  light , heat , etc.,  as  a mirror.  Land2 * * * * 7- 
mark,  an  object  on  land  serving  as  a guide  to  seamen.  Ex-traor'- 
di-na-ry,  wonderfid.  9.  Whirl'-pool,  a gulf  in  which  the  water 
moves  round  in  a circle.  P6a§/ants,  those  belonging  to  the  lowest 
class  of  tillers  of  the  soil  in  Europe. 

Exercises. — What  is  a “ fairy  tale?”  What  fairy  people 
are  told  about  in  this  story?  How  did  the  poor  man  find  the 
way  to  the  land  of  the  dwarfs?  Do  you  think  the  old  man 
would  have  told  him  if  the  poor  man  had  not  been  so  polite? 
How  did  the  poor  man  treat  his  rich  brother  in  return  for  his 
unkindness?  How  was  the  greed  of  the  dishonest  merchant 
punished?  What  is  meant  by  “ strangers  from  foreign  parts”? 
Where  are  Denmark  and  Norway? 


V.  POPPING  CORN. 

1.  One  autumn  night,  when  the  wind  was  high, 

And  the  rain  fell  in  heavy  plashes, 

A little  boy  sat  by  the  kitchen  fire, 

A-popping  corn  in  the  ashes; 

And  his  sister,  a curly-haired  child  of  three, 
Sat  looking  on,  just  close  to  his  knee. 

2.  Pop!  pop!  and  the  kernels,  one  by  one, 

Came  out  of  the  embers  flying; 

The  boy  held  a long  pine  stick  in  his  hand, 

And  kept  it  busily  plying; 

He  stirred  the  corn,  and  it  snapped  the  more, 

And  faster  jumped  to  the  clean-swept  floor. 


FOURTH  READER. 


35 


3.  Part  of  the  kernels  flew  one  way, 

And  a part  hopped  out  the  other; 

Some  flew  plump  into  the  sister’s  lap, 

Some  under  the  stool  of  the  brother ; 

The  little  girl  gathered  them  into  a heap, 
And  called  them  a flock  of  milk-white  sheep. 


VI.  SMILES. 

1.  Poor  lame  Jennie  sat  at  her  window,  looking 
out  upon  the  dismal,  narrow  street,  with  a look  of 
pain  and  weariness  on  her  face.  “Oh,  dear,”  she  said 
with  a sigh,  “what  a long  day  this  is  going  to  be,”  and 
she  looked  wishfully  up  the  street. 


36 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


2.  Suddenly  she  leaned  forward  and  pressed  her  pale 
face  against  the  glass,  as  a rosy-cheeked  boy  came  rac- 
ing down  the  street,  swinging  his  school-books  by  the 
strap.  Looking  up  to  the  window,  he  took  off  his  hat 
and  bowed  with  a bright,  pleasant  smile. 

3.  “What  a nice  boy  he  is,”  said  Jennie  to  herself, 
as  he  ran  out  of  sight.  “I  am  so  glad  he  goes  by 
here  on  his  way  to  school.  When  he  smiles  it  seems 
like  having  the  sun  shine.  I wish  every  body  who 
goes  by  would  look  up  and  smile.” 

4.  “Mamma,”  said  George  West,  as  he  came  from 
school,  “I  can’t  help  thinking  about  that  poor  little 
girl  I told  you  of  the  other  day.  She  looks  so  tired. 
I took  off  my  hat  and  bowed  to  her  to-day.  I wish 
I could  do  something  for  her.” 

5.  “ Suppose  you  should  carry  her  a handful  of 
pretty  flowers  some  time  when  you  go  to  school,”  said 
Mrs.  West.  “I’ll  do  that  to-morrow  morning,”  said 
George,  “ if  I can  find  my  way  into  that  rickety  old 
house.” 

6.  The  next  morning,  as  Jennie  sat  leaning  her 
head  wearily  against  the  window,  watching  the  rain- 
drops chasing  one  another  down  the  glass,  she  spied 
George  with  a handful  of  beautiful  flowers  carefully 
picking  his  way  across  the  street.  He  stopped  in  front 
of  her  window,  and,  smiling  very  pleasantly,  said, 
“How  shall  I find  the  way  to  your  room?” 

7.  Jennie  pointed  to  an  alley  near  by,  where  he 
turned  in,  and  with  some  difficulty  found  his  way  to 
the  dingy  staircase.  Opening  the  door  to  Jennie’s 
gentle  “Come  in,”  he  said,  “I  have  brought  you  a 
handful  of  flowers  to  look  at  this  rainy  day.” 

8.  “Are  they  for  me?”  exclaimed  Jennie,  clapping 
her  hands  in  delight.  “How  kind  you  are,”  she  con- 


FOURTH  READER. 


37 


tinued,  as  George  laid  them  in  her  lap.  “I  have  not 
had  a flower  since  we  lived  in  the  city.” 

9.  “Did  you  use  to  live  in  the  country?”  asked 
George.  “Oh,  yes,”  answered  Jennie,  “we  used  to 
live  in  a beautiful  cottage,  and  there  were  trees  and 
flowers  and  green  grass,  and  the  air  was  so  sweet.” 

10.  “Well,  what  made  you  move  here?”  “Oh,” 
said  Jennie,  softly,  “papa  died,  and  mamma  was  sick 
so  long  that  the  money  was  all  gone.  Then  mamma 
had  to  sell  the  cottage,  and  she  moved  here  to  try  to 
get  work  to  do.” 

11.  “Do  you  have  to  sit  here  all  day?”  asked 
George,  glancing  around  the  bare  room  and  out  into 
the  dismal  street.  “Yes,”  said  Jennie,  “because  I am 
lame;  but  I would  not  care  for  that,  if  I could  only 
help  mamma.” 

12.  “I  declare^  it’s  too  bad!”  said  George,  who 
dreaded  nothing  so  much  as  being  obliged  to  stay  in 
the  house.  “Oh,  no,  it  isn’t,”  said  Jennie,  pleasantly; 
“ mamma  says  may  be  we  should  forget  the  Lord  if 
we  had  every  thing  we  wanted,  and  He  never  forgets 
us,  you  know.” 

13.  “Well,  I must  rush  for  school,”  said  George, 
not  knowing  exactly  what  to  say  next;  and  he  was 
soon  out  of  Jennie’s  sight,  but  had  a happy  little  cor- 
ner in  his  heart,  because  he  had  tried  to  do  a kind 
act.  He  did  not  know  how  much  good  he  had  done 
in  making  a pleasant  day  out  of  a dreary  one  for  a 
little  sick  girl. 

14.  “ Mamma,”  said  George,  that  evening,  after  he 
had  told  her  what  Jennie  said,  “papa  must  give  them 
some  money,  so  they  can  go  back  to  their  home.” 

15.  “No,”  said  his  mother;  “he  can  not  do  that, 
and  they  would  not  wish  him  to  do  so;  but  perhaps 


38 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


he  can  help  us  contrive  some  way  to  assist  them,  so 
that  they  can  live  more  comfortably.” 

16.  “I  am  going  to  carry  Jennie  some  of  the  grapes 
grandpa  sent  me,  to-morrow,”  said  George,  turning 
over  the  leaves  of  his  geography.  “I  will  put  some 
of  my  pears  into  your  basket,  and  go  with  you,”  said 
bis  mother;  “but  there  is  one  thing  we  can  always 
give,  and  sometimes  it  does  more  good  than  nice 
tilings  to  eat,  or  even  money.” 

17.  “What  is  that,  mamma;  smiles?”  asked  George, 
looking  up.  “Yes,”  answered  his  mother;  “and  it  is 
a good  plan  to  throw  in  a kind  word  or  two  with 
them,  when  you  can.” 

Definitions. — 1.  Dismal,  gloomy , cheerless.  Wish'ful-ly,  with 
desire.  5.  Rick'et-y,  imperfect , worn  out.  7.  Dir/gy,  dark.  11. 
Glancing,  looking  about  quickly.  13.  Dreamy,  comfortless , gloomy. 
15.  Con-trlve',  to  plan . 

Exercises. — What  is  the  subject  of  this  lesson?  How  did 
George  West  make  the  day  pleasant  for  Jennie?  What  did 
his  mother  suggest?  What  happened  next  day?  What  did 
Jennie  tell  George  about  her  life?  Relate  what  happened  at 
George’s  home  that  evening.  What  does  the  lesson  teach? 


VII.  LAZY  NED. 

1.  “’Tis  royal  fun,”  cried  lazy  Ned, 
“ To  coast  upon  my  fine,  new  sled, 
And  beat  the  other  boys; 

But  then,  I can  not  bear  to  climb 
The  tiresome  hill,  for  every  time 
It  more  and  more  annoys.” 


FOURTH  READER. 


39 


2.  So,  while  his  school-mates  glided  by, 

And  gladly  tugged  up  hill,  to  try 

Another  merry  race, 

Too  indolent  to  share  their  plays, 

Ned  was  compelled  to  stand  and  gaze, 

While  shivering  in  his  place. 

3.  Thus,  he  would  never  take  the  pains 
To  seek  the  prize  that  labor  gains, 

Until  the  time  had  passed ; 

For,  all  his  life,  he  dreaded  still 
The  silly  bugbear  of  up  hilly 
And  died  a dunce  at  last. 

Definitions. — 1.  Eoy/al,  excellent , noble.  Coast,  to  slide.  An- 
noy^, troubles.  2.  In'do-lent,  lazy.  3.  Prize,  a reward.  Bug'- 
bear,  something  frightful.  Dun9e,  a silly  fellow. 

Exercises.— What  did  Ned  like  ? What  did  he  not  like  ? 


VIII.  THE  MONKEY. 

1.  The  monkey  is  a very  cunning  little  animal,  and 
is  found  in  many  parts  of  the  world. 

2.  A lady  once  had  a monkey,  which  had  been 
brought  to  her  as  a present.  This  monkey,  like  all 
others,  was  very  fond  of  mischief  and  of  doing  what- 
ever he  saw  others  do. 

3.  His  mistress  found  him  one  day  sitting  on  her 
toilet-table,  holding  in  one  hand  a little  china  mug 
with  water  in  it,  and  in  the  other  her  tooth-brush, 
with  which  he  was  cleaning  his  teeth,  looking  all  the 
time  in  the  glass. 


40 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


4.  Her  little  daughter,  Maria,  had  a large  doll  with 
a very  handsome  head  and  face.  She  one  day  left  this 
doll  in  the  cradle,  and  went  out  of  the  room.  The 
monkey  came  in,  took  the  doll  in  his  arms,  and  jump- 
ing upon  the  wash- 
stand,  he  began  to 
wash  its  face. 

5.  He  first  rubbed 
it  all  over  with  soap. 
Then  seizing  the 
towel,  he  dipped  it  in 
the  wash-bowl,  and 
rubbed  it  so  hard 
that  the  dolPs  face 
was  entirely  spoiled, 
the  paint  being  all 
washed  off. 

6.  There  have  been 
many  tales  of  mon- 
keys wdio,  armed  with 
sticks,  have  joined  to- 
gether and  made  war 

or  resisted  their  enemies  with  great  effect.  This  is  not 
true,  as  it  is  known  that  in  their  native  state  they 
have  no  idea  of  weapons. 

7.  The  sticks  and  other  missiles  said  to  be  thrown  at 
travelers  as  they  pass  under  the  branches  of  trees,  are 
usually  the  dead  branches,  etc.,  accidentally  broken  off, 
as  the  monkeys,  with  the  natural  curiosity  of  their 
tribe,  pass  along  the  tops  of  trees  to  watch  the  actions 
of  the  people  below. 

8.  They  can,  however,  be  taught  to  use  a stick,  and 
to  use  it  well.  Some  time  ago,  two  Italians  together 
owned  an  organ  and  a monkey,  by  means  of  which 


FOURTH  READER . 


41 


they  earned  their  living.  During  one  of  their  exhibi- 
tions, a dog  flew  at  the  little  monkey,  which  made  its 
owners  very  angry. 

9.  They  and  the  owner  of  the  dog  quarreled  about 
it,  and  at  last  it  was  agreed  that  the  dog  and  the 
monkey  should  fight  it  out;  the  monkey,  because  he 
was  smaller,  was  to  be  allowed  a stick. 

10.  The  monkey  was  taught  what  he  was  to  do  in  the 
following  manner:  One  of  the  Italians  crawled  on  his 
hands  and  knees,  barking  like  a dog,  while  the  other 
got  on  his  back,  grasped  his  hair,  and  beat  him  about 
the  head  with  a stick. 

11.  The  monkey  looked  on  with  great  gravity,  and, 
when  the  instruction  was  over,  received  the  stick  with 
the  air  of  a man  who  knew  his  work  and  meant  to 
do  it. 

12.  Every  thing  being  settled  the  dog  flew  at  the 
monkey  with  open  mouth.  The  monkey  immediately 
leaped  on  his  back,  and,  grasping  the  dog’s  ear,  beat 
away  at  his  head  with  such  good  will  that  his  adver- 
sary speedily  gave  in.  The  monkey,  however,  was  not 
content  with  a mere  victory,  but  continued  pounding 
at  the  dog’s  head  until  he  left  him  senseless  on  the 
ground. 

Definitions. — 1.  Cunning,  sly.  3.  Toi/let-ta/ble,  dressing 
table.  6.  Ke-gist'ed,  opposed.  7.  Mis'sileg,  weapons  thrown.  8. 
Ex-hi-bi/tion§,  public  shows.  11.  Grav'i-ty,  seriousness.  In-struc'- 
tion,  lesson.  12.  Sense'less,  without  apparent  life. 

Exercises. — What  kind  of  an  animal  is  a monkey?  Where 
did  the  lady  find  the  monkey  one  day?  What  was  he  doing? 
What  did  he  do  with  Maria’s  doll?  Do  monkeys  in  their 
native  state  know  how  to  use  sticks  as  weapons?  Can  they  be 
taught  to  use  them?  Eelate  the  story  of  the  two  Italians. 
What  is  the  meaning  of  “ etc.”  in  the  seventh  verse  ? 


42 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


IX.  MEDDLESOME  MATTY. 

1.  Oh,  how  one  ugly  trick  has  spoiled 

The  sweetest  and  the  best! 

Matilda,  though  a pleasant  child, 

One  grievous  fault  possessed, 

Which,  like  a cloud  before  the  skies, 

Hid  all  her  better  qualities. 

2.  Sometimes,  she’d  lift  the  tea-pot  lid 

To  peep  at  what  was  in  it; 

Or  tilt  the  kettle,  if  you  did 
But  turn  your  back  a minute. 

In  vain  you  told  her  not  to  touch, 

Her  trick  of  meddling  grew  so  much. 

3.  Her  grandmamma  went  out  one  day, 

And,  by  mistake,  she  laid 
Her  spectacles  and  snuff-box  gay, 

Too  near  the  little  maid; 

“Ah!  well/’  thought  she,  “I’ll  try  them  on, 
As  soon  as  grandmamma  is  gone.” 

4.  Forthwith,  she  placed  upon  her  nose 

The  glasses  large  and  wide; 

And  looking  round,  as  I suppose, 

The  snuff-box,  too,  she  spied. 

“ Oh,  what  a pretty  box  is  this ! 

I’ll  open  it,”  said  little  miss. 

5.  “I  know  that  grandmamma  would  say, 

‘ Don’t  meddle  with  it,  dear ; ’ 

But  then  she’s  far  enough  away, 

And  no  one  else  is  near; 


FOURTH  READER. 


43 


Beside,  what  can  there  be  amiss 
In  opening  such  a box  as  this?” 

6.  So,  thumb  and  finger  went  to  work 

To  move  the  stubborn  lid ; 

And,  presently,  a mighty  jerk 
The  mighty  mischief  did; 

For  all  at  once,  ah!  woful  case! 

The  snuff  came  puffing  in  her  face. 

7.  Poor  eyes,  and  nose,  and  mouth,  and  chin 

A dismal  sight  presented; 

And  as  the  snuff  got  further  in, 

Sincerely  she  repented: 

In  vain  she  ran  about  for  ease, 

She  could  do  nothing  else  but  sneeze. 

8.  She  dashed  the  spectacles  away, 

To  wipe  her  tingling  eyes; 

And,  as  in  twenty  bits  they  lay, 

Her  grandmamma  she  spies. 

“ Heyday!  and  what’s  the  matter  now?” 

Cried  grandmamma,  with  angry  brow. 

9.  Matilda,  smarting  with  the  pain, 

And  tingling  still,  and  sore, 

Made  many  a promise  to  refrain 
From  meddling  evermore; 

And  ’tis  a fact,  as  I have  heard, 

She  ever  since  has  kept  her  word. 

Definitions. — 1.  Quaki-tieg,  traits  of  character.  2.  M$dr- 
dling,  interfering  without  right.  4.  Forth-witlk,  at  once.  Spied, 
saw.  5.  A-miss',  wrong , faulty.  6.  Wo'ful,  sad , sorrowful.  8. 
Tiikgling,  smarting.  9.  Re-frain',  to  keep  from. 

Exercises. — What  did  Matilda  do  ? How  was  she  punished  ? 
What  effect  did  it  have  on  her? 


44 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


X.  THE  GOOD  SON. 

1.  There  was  once  a jeweler,  noted  for  many  virt- 
ues. One  day,  the  Jewish  elders  came  to  him  to  buy 
some  diamonds,  to  put  upon  that  part  of  the  dress  of 
their  high-priest,  which  the  Bible  calls  an  ephod. 

2.  They  told  him  what  they  wanted,  and  offered 
him  a fair  price  for  the  diamonds.  He  replied  that 
he  could  not  let  them  see  the  jewels  at  that  moment, 
and  requested  them  to  call  again. 

3.  As  they  wanted  them  without  delay,  and  thought 
that  the  object  of  the  jeweler  was  only  to  increase  the 
price  of  the  diamonds,  the  elders  offered  him  twice, 
then  three  times,  as  much  as  they  were  worth.  But 
he  still  refused,  and  they  went  away  in  very  bad 
humor. 

4.  Some  hours  after,  he  went  to  them,  and  placed 
before  them  the  diamonds,  for  which  they  again  offered 
him  the  last  price  they  had  named;  but  he  said,  “I 
will  only  accept  the  first  one  you  offered  to  me  this 
morning.” 

5.  “Why,  then,  did  you  not  close  with  us  at  once?” 
asked  they  in  surprise.  “ When  you  came,”  replied 
he,  “my  father  had  the  key  of  the  chest,  in  which  the 
diamonds  were  kept,  and  as  he  was  asleep,  I should 
have  been  obliged  to  wake  him  to  obtain  them. 

6.  “At  his  age,  a short  hour  of  sleep  does  him  a 

great  deal  of  good;  and  for  all  the  gold  in  the  world, 
I would  not  be  wanting  in  respect  to  my  father,  or 
take  from  him  a single  comfort.”  ; 

7.  The  elders,  affected  by  these  feeling  words,  spread 
their  hands  upon  the  jeweler’s  head,  and  said,  “Thou 
shalt  be  blessed  of  Him  who  has  said,  i Honor  thy 


FOURTH  READER. 


45 


father  and  thy  mother and  thy  children  shall  one 
day  pay  thee  the  same  respect  and  love  thou  hast 
shown  to  thy  father.” 

Definitions. — 1.  Jew'el-er,  one  who  buys  and  sells  precious 
stones.  Not'ed,  well  known.  Eld'er,  an  officer  of  the  Jewish 
church.  Eph'od,  part  of  the  dress  of  a Jewish  priest , made  of  two 
pieces , one  covering  the  chest  and  the  other  the  back , united  by  a 
girdle.  2.  Di'a-mondg,  precious  stones.  3.  Hu'mor,  state  of  mind , 
temper.  5.  Clo§e,  come  to  an  agreement. 

Exercises.  — Eelate  the  story  of  the  jeweler  and  his  dia- 
monds. What  did  the  elders  say  to  him,  when  they  heard  his 
reason  for  not  giving  them  the  diamonds  at  first? 


XI.  TO-MORROW. 

# 

Mrs.  M.  B.  Johnson  is  the  authoress  of  “To-morrow,’7  one  of  a col- 
lection of  poems  entitled  “Poems  of  Home  Life.77 

1.  A bright,  merry  boy,  with  laughing  face,' 

Whose  every  motion  was  full  of  grace, 

Who  knew  no  trouble  and  feared  no  care, 

Was  the  light  of  our  household — the  youngest  there. 

2.  He  was  too  young,  this  little  elf, 

With  troublesome  questions  to  vex  himself; 

But  for  many  days  a thought  would  rise, 

And  bring  a shade  to  his  dancing  eyes. 

3.  He  went  to  one  whom  he  thought  more  wise 
Than  any  other  beneath  the  skies; 

“Mother,”— O word  that  makes  the  home! — 

“Tell  me,  when  will  to-morrow  come?” 


46 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


4.  “It  is  almost  night,”  the  mother  said, 

“And  time  for  my  boy  to  be  in  bed; 

When  you  wake  up  and  it’s  day  again, 

It  will  be  to-morrow,  my  darling,  then.” 

5.  The  little  boy  slept  through  all  the  night, 

But  woke  with  the  first  red  streak  of  light; 

He  pressed  a kiss  to  his  mother’s  brow, 

And  whispered,  “ Is  it  to-morrow  now?” 

6.  “No,  little  Eddie,  this  is  to-day: 

To-morrow  is  always  one  night  away.” 

He  pondered  awhile,  but  joys  came  fast, 

And  this  vexing  question  quickly  passed. 

7.  But  it  came  again  with  the  shades  of  night; 
“Will  it  be  to-morrow  when  it  is  light?” 
From  years  to  come  he  seemed  care  to  borrow, 
He  tried  so  hard  to  catch  to-morrow. 


8.  “You  can  not  catch  it,  my  little  Ted; 

Enjoy  to-day,”  the  mother  said; 

“Some  wait  for  to-morrow  through  many  a year — 
It  is  always  coming,  but  never  is  here.” 


Definitions. — 1.  Household,  family , those  living  in  the  same 
house.  2.  Elf,  a small  fairy-like  person.  VSx,  worry , trouble. 
6.  P6n/dered,  thought  anxiously.  A- while',  for  a short  time. 

Exercises. — What  is  meant  by  “ dancing  eyes”  in  the  second 
verse?  What  is  meant  by  “the  shades  of  night,”  in  the  seventh 
verse?  Of  what  name  are  “ Eddie”  and  “Ted”  nicknames? 
What  troubled  Eddie?  Can  you  define  to-morrow?  What  did 
Eddie’s  mother  advise  him  to  do? 


FOURTH  READER. 


47 


XII.  WHERE  THERE  IS  A WILL  THERE  IS  A WAY. 

1.  Henry  Bond  was  about  ten  years  old  when  his 
father  died.  His  mother  found  it  difficult  to  provide 
for  the  support  of  a large  family,  thus  left  entirely  in 
her  care.  By  good  management,  however,  she  con- 
trived to  do  so,  and  also  to  send  Henry,  the  oldest, 
to  school,  and  to  supply  him,  for  the  most  part,  with 
such  books  as  he  needed. 

2.  At  one  time,  however,  Henry  wanted  a grammar, 
in  order  to  join  a class  in  that  study,  and  his  mother 
could  not  furnish  him  with  the  money  to  buy  it.  He 
was  very  much  troubled  about  it,  and  went  to  bed 
with  a heavy  heart,  thinking  what  could  be  done. 

3.  On  waking  in  the  morning,  he  found  that  a deep 
snow  had  fallen,  and  the  cold  wind  was  blowing  furi- 
ously. “Ah,”  said  he,  “it  is  an  ill  wind  that  blows 
nobody  good.” 

4.  He  rose,  ran  to  the  house  of  a neighbor,  and 
offered  his  service  to  clear  a path  around  his  premises. 
The  offer  was  accepted.  Having  completed  this  work, 
and  received  his  pay,  he  went  to  another  place  for  the 
same  purpose,  and  then  to  another,  until  he  had  earned 
enough  to  buy  a grammar. 

5.  When  school  commenced,  Henry  was  in  his  seat, 
the  happiest  boy  there,  ready  to  begin  the  lesson  in 
his  new  book. 

6.  From  that  time,  Henry  was  always  the  first  in  all 
his  classes.  He  knew  no  such  word  as  fail,  but  always 
succeeded  in  all  he  attempted.  Having  the  will,  he 
always  found  the  way. 

Definitions. — 1.  Man'age-ment,  manner  of  directing  things . 
2.  Furnish,  to  supply.  3.  Fu'ri-ous-ly,  violently.  4.  Serv'iye, 
labor.  PrSn/i-seg,  grounds  around  a house. 


48 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


XIII.  PICCOLA. 

By  Celia  Baighton  Thaxter,  who  was  born  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H., 
June  29, 1835.  Much  of  her  childhood  was  passed  at  White  Island,  one  of 
the  Isles  of  Shoals,  off  the  coast  of  New  Hampshire.  “ Among  the  Isles 
of  Shoals  ” is  her  most  noted  work  in  prose.  She  has  published  a volume 
of  poems,  many  of  which  are  favorites  with  children. 

1.  Poor,  sweet  Piccola!  Did  you  hear 

What  happened  to  Piccola,  children  dear? 

’T  is  seldom  Fortune  such  favor  grants 
As  fell  to  this  little  maid  of  France. 


2.  ’T  was  Christmas  time,  and  her  parents  poor 
Could  hardly  drive  the  wolf  from  the  door, 
Striving  with  poverty’s  patient  pain 

Only  to  live  till  summer  again. 

3.  No  gift  for  Piccola!  sad  were  they 

When  dawned  the  morning  of  Christmas  day! 
Their  little  darling  no  joy  might  stir; 

St.  Nicholas  nothing  would  bring  to  her! 

4.  But  Piccola  never  doubted  at  all 
That  something  beautiful  must  befall 
Every  child  upon  Christmas  day, 

And  so  she  slept  till  the  dawn  was  gray. 

5.  And  full  of  faith,  when  at  last  she  woke, 

She  stole  to  her  shoe  as  the  morning  broke; 
Such  sounds  of  gladness  filled  all  the  air, 
’Twas  plain  St.  Nicholas  had  been  there. 

6.  In  rushed  Piccola,  sweet,  half  wild — 

Never  was  seen  such  a joyful  child- — 

“See  what  the  good  saint  brought!”  she  cried, 
And  mother  and  father  must  peep  inside. 


FOURTH  READER. 


49 


7.  Now  such  a story  I never  heard ! 

There  was  a little  shivering  bird! 

A sparrow,  that  in  at  the  window  flew, 

Had  crept  into  Piccola’s  tiny  shoe! 

8.  “How  good  poor  Piccola  must  have  been!” 

She  cried,  as  happy  as  any  queen, 

While  the  starving  sparrow  she  fed  and  warmed, 
And  danced  with  rapture,  she  was  so  charmed. 

9.  Children,  this  story  I tell  to  you 

Of  Piccola  sweet  and  her  bird,  is  true. 

In  the  fa^-off  land  of  France,  they  say, 

Still  do  they  live  to  this  very  day. 

Definitions. — 3.  Dawned,  began  to  grow  light.  Stir,  excite. 
4.  Be-falF,  happen.  7.  Shiv'er-ing,  trembling  from  cold.  TPny, 
very  small.  8.  KapPure,  great  joy.  Charmed,  greatly  pleased. 

Exercises. — What  is  meant  by  “ driving  the  wolf  from  the 
door” ? In  the  third  verse,  what  does  “St.”  before  Nicholas 
mean?  Who  is  St.  Nicholas?  What  did  Piccola  find  in  her 
shoe  on  Christmas  morning? 

(4.-4.) 


50 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


XIV.  TRUE  MANLINESS. 

By  Mrs.  M.  O.  Johnson.— (Adapted.) 

1.  “Please,  mother,  do  sit  down  and  let  me  try  my 
hand/*  said  Fred  Liscom,  a bright,  active  boy  twelve 
years  old.  Mrs.  Liscom,  looking  pale  and  worn,  was 
moving  languidly  about,  trying  to  clear  away  the 
breakfast  she  had  scarcely  tasted. 

2.  She  smiled,  and  said,  “You,  Fred,  you  wash 
dishes?**  “Yes,  indeed,  mother,**  replied  Fred;  “I 
should  be  a poor  scholar  if  I could  n*t,  when  I*ve 
seen  you  do  it  so  many  times.  Just  try  me.** 

3.  A look  of  relief  came  over  his  mother’s  face  as 
she  seated  herself  in  her  low  rocking-chair.  Fred 
washed  the  dishes,  and  put  them  in  the  closet.  He 
then  swept  the  kitchen,  brought  up  the  potatoes  from 
the  cellar  for  the  dinner  and  washed  them,  and  then 
set  out  for  school. 

4.  Fred’s  father  was  away  from  home,  and  as  there 
was  some  cold  meat  in  the  pantry,  Mrs.  Liscom  found 
it  an  easy  task  to  prepare  dinner.  Fred  hurried  home 
from  school,  set  the  table,  and  again  washed  the 
dishes. 

5.  He  kept  on  in  this  way  for  two  or  three  days, 
when  his  mother  was  able  to  resume  her  usual  work, 
and  he  felt  amply  rewarded  when  the  doctor,  who 
happened  in  one  day,  said,  “Well,  madam,  it’s  my 
opinion  that  you  would  have  been  very  sick  if  you 
had  not  kept  quiet.” 

6.  The  doctor  did  not  know  how  the  “quiet”  had 
been  secured,  nor  how  the  boy’s  heart  bounded  at  his 
words.  Fred  had  given  up  a great  deal  of  what  boys 


FOURTH  READER. 


51 


hold  dear,  for  the  purpose  of  helping  his  mother,  coast- 
ing and  skating  being  just  at  this  time  in  perfec- 
tion. 

7.  Besides  this,  his  temper  and  his  patience  had 
been  severely  tried.  He  had  been  in  the  habit  of  go- 
ing early  to  school,  and  staying  to  play  after  it  was 
dismissed. 

8.  The  boys  missed  him,  and  their  curiosity  was  ex- 
cited when  he  would  give  no  other  reason  for  not 
coming  to  school  earlier,  or  staying  after  school,  than 
that  he  was  “ wanted  at  home.”  “ I *11  tell  you/* 
said  Tom  Barton,  “1*11  find  him  out,  boys — see  if  I 
don*t ! ** 

9.  So  he  called  for  Fred  to  go  to  school,  and  on  his 
way  to  the  side  door  walked  lightly  and  somewhat 
nearer  the  kitchen  window  than  was  absolutely  need- 
ful. Looking  in,  he  saw  Fred  standing  at  the  table 
with  a dish-cloth  in  his  hand. 

10.  Of  course  he  reported  this  at  school,  and  vari- 

ous were  the  greetings  poor  Fred  received  at  recess. 
“Well,  you*re  a brave  one  to  stay  at  home  washing 
dishes.**  “ Girl-boy ! **  “ Pretty  Bessie ! **  “ Lost  your 

apron,  haven*t  you,  Polly!** 

11.  Fred  was  not  wanting  either  in  spirit  or  cour- 
age, and  he  was  strongly  tempted  to  resent  these  in- 
sults and  to  fight  some  of  his  tormentors.  But  his 
consciousness  of  right  and  his  love  for  his  mother 
helped  him. 

12.  While  he  was  struggling  for  self-mastery,  his 
teacher  appeared  at  the  door  of  the  school-house. 
Fred  caught  his  eye,  and  it  seemed  to  look,  if  it  did 
not  say,  “ Don*t  give  up ! Be  really  brave ! **  He 
knew  the  teacher  had  heard  the  insulting  taunts  of 
his  thoughtless  school-mates. 

UNIVERSITY  OF 
ILLINOIS  LIBRARY 


52 


ECLECTIC  SERIES , 


13.  The  boys  received  notice  during  the  day  that 
Fred  must  not  be  taunted  or  teased  in  any  manner. 
They  knew  that  the  teacher  meant  what  he  said;  and 
so  the  brave  little  boy  had  no  farther  trouble. 

Definitions.  — 1.  Lan'guid-ly,  feebly . 5.  Am'ply,  fully. 

O-pm'ion,  judgment , belief.  9.  At/so-lute-ly,  wholly , entirely 
11.  Re-§ent/,  to  consider  as  an  injury.  CSn'scious-ness,  inward 
feeling , knowledge  of  what  passes  in  one's  own  mind. 

Exercises. — Why  did  Fred  offer  to  wash  the  dishes?  Was 
it  a disgraceful  thing  to  do?  How  was  he  rewarded?  How 
did  his  school-mates  show  their  lack  of  manliness? 


XV.  TRUE  MANLINESS. 

(Concluded.) 

1.  “Fire!  fire!”-  The  cry  crept  out  on  the  still 
night  air,  and  the  fire  bells  began  to  ring.  Fred  was 
wakened  by  the  alarm  and  the  red  light  streaming 
into  his  room.  He  dressed  himself  in  a moment,  al- 
most, and  tapped  at  the  door  of  his  mother's  bedroom. 

2.  “It  is  Mr.  Barton's  house,  mother.  Do  let  me 
go,"  he  said  in  eager,  excited  tones.  Mrs.  Liscom 
thought  a moment.  He  was  young,  but  she  could 
trust  him,  and  she  knew  how  much  his  heart  was  in 
the  request. 

3.  “Yes,  you  may  go,"  she  answered;  “but  be  care- 
ful, my  boy.  If  you  can  help,  do  so;  but  do  nothing 
rashly."  Fred  promised  to  follow  her  advice,  and 
hurried  to  the  fire. 

4.  Mr.  and  Mrs.  Barton  were  not  at  home.  The 
house  had  been  left  in  charge  of  the  servants.  The 


FOURTH  READER. 


53 


fire  spread  with  fearful  speed,  for  there  was  a high 
wind,  and  it  was  found  impossible  to  save  the  house. 
The  servants  ran  about,  screaming  and  lamenting,  but 
doing  nothing  to  any  purpose. 

5.  Fred  found  Tom  outside,  in  safety.  “ Where  is 
Katy?”  he  asked.  Tom,  trembling  with  terror,  seemed 
to  have  had  no  thought  but  of  his  own  escape.  He 
said,  “Katy  is  in  the  house !”  “In  what  room?” 
asked  Fred.  “ In  that  one,”  pointing  to  a window  in 
the  upper  story. 

6.  It  was  no  time  for  words,  but  for  instant,  vigor- 
ous action.  The  staircase  was  already  on  fire;  there 
was  but  one  way  to  reach  Katy,  and  that  full  of  dan- 
ger. The  second  floor  might  fall  at  any  moment,  and 
Fred  knew  it.  But  he  trusted  in  an  arm  stronger 
than  his  own,  and  silently  sought  help  and  guidance. 


54 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


7.  A ladder  was  quickly  brought,  and  placed  against 
the  house.  Fred  mounted  it,  followed  by  the  hired 
man,  dashed  in  the  sash  of  the  window,  and  pushed 
his  way  into  the  room  where  the  poor  child  lay  nearly 
suffocated  with  smoke. 

8.  He  roused  her  with  some  difficulty,  carried  her  to 
the  window,  and  placed  her  upon  the  sill.  She  was 
instantly  grasped  by  strong  arms,  and  carried  down 
the  ladder,  Fred  following  as  fast  as  possible.  They 
had  scarcely  reached  the  ground  before  a crash  of  fall- 
ing timbers  told  them*  that  they  had  barely  escaped 
with  their  lives. 

9.  Tom  Barton  never  forgot  the  lesson  of  that 
night;  and  he  came  to  believe,  and  to  act  upon  the 
belief,  in  after  years,  that  true  manliness  is  in  har- 
mony with  gentleness,  kindness,  and  self-denial. 

Exercises. — Relate  the  story  of  the  fire.  What  is  meant 
by  “ to  any  purpose,”  in  verse  four?  Did  Fred  show  any  lack 
of  manliness  when  tested?  What  does  this  lesson  teach? 


XVI.  THE  BROWN  THRUSH. 

Lucy  Larcom,  the  authoress  of  the  following  piece  of  poetry,  was  born 
in  1826,  and  passed  many  years  of  her  life  as  a factory  girl  at  Lowell, 
Mass.  She  is  now  a well  known  writer  both  of  poetry  and  prose. 

1.  There’s  a merry  brown  thrush  sitting  up  in  a tree; 
“He’s  singing  to  me!  he’s  singing  to  me!” 

And  what  does  he  say,  little  girl,  little  boy? 

“Oh,  the  world’s  running  over  with  joy! 

Don’t  you  hear?  Don’t  you  see? 

Hush!  look!  In  my  tree 
I’m  as  happy  as  happy  can  be!” 


FOURTH  READER . 


55 


2.  And  the  brown  thrush  keeps  singing,  “A  nest  do 

you  see, 

And  five  eggs  hid  by  me  in  the  juniper-tree? 
Don’t  meddle ! don’t  touch ! little  girl,  little  boy, 
Or  the  world  will  lose  some  of  its  joy! 

Now  I ’m  glad ! now  I ’m  free ! 

And  I always  shall  be, 

If  you  never  bring  sorrow  to  me.” 

3.  So  the  merry  brown  thrush  sings  away  in  the  tree, 

To  you  and  to  me,  to  you  and  to  me; 

And  he  sings  all  the  day,  little  girl,  little  boy, 
“Oh,  the  world’s  running  over  with  joy! 

But  long  it  won’t  be, 

Don’t  you  know?  Don’t  you  see? 

Unless  we  ’re  as  good  as  can  be.” 

Exercises. — What  is  a thrush?  Why  was  the  thrush  so 
happy?  Do  you  think  she  would  have  been  happy  if  the  little 
boy  or  girl  had  robbed  the  nest? 


XVII.  A SHIP  IN  A STORM. 

1.  Did  you  ever  go  far  out  upon  the  great  ocean? 
How  beautiful  it  is  to  be  out  at  sea,  when  the  sea  is 
smooth  and  still! 

2.  Let  a storm  approach,  and  the  scene  is  changed. 
The  heavy,  black  clouds  appear  in  the  distance,  and 
throw  a deep,  death-like  shade  over  the  world  of 
waters. 

3.  The  captain  and  sailors  soon  see  in  the  clouds 
the  signs  of  evil.  All  hands  are  then  set  to  work  to 
take  in  sail. 


56 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


4.  The  hoarse  notes  of  the  captain,  speaking  through 
his  trumpet,  are  echoed  from  lip  to  lip  among  the  rig- 
ging. Happy  will  it  be,  if  all  is  made  snug  before 
the  gale  strikes  the  vessel. 

5.  At  last,  the  gale  comes  like  a vast  moving 
mountain  of  air.  It  strikes  the  ship.  The  vessel 
heaves  and  groans  under  the  dreadful  weight,  and 
struggles  to  escape  through  the  foaming  waters. 

6.  If  she  is  far  out  at  sea,  she  will  be  likely  to  ride 
out  the  storm  in  safety.  But  if  the  wind  is  driving 


FOURTH  READER . 


57 


her  upon  the  shore,  the  poor  sailors  will  hardly  escape 
being  dashed  upon  the  rocks,  and  drowned. 

7.  Once  there  was  a ship  in  a storm.  Some  of  her 
masts  were  already  broken,  and  her  sails  lost.  While 
the  wind  was  raging,  and  the  billows  were  dashing 
against  her,  the  cry  was  heard,  “ A man  has  fallen 
overboard ! ” 

8.  Quickly  was  the  boat  lowered,  and  she  was  soon 
seen  bounding  on  her  way  over  the  mountain  waves. 
At  one  moment,  the  boat  seemed  lifted  to  the  skies, 
and  the  next,  it  sank  down,  and  appeared  to  be  lost 
beneath  the  waves! 

9.  At  length,  the  man  was  found.  He  was  well- 
nigh  drowned;  but  he  was  taken  on  board,  and  now 
they  made  for  the  ship.  But  the  ship  rolled  so  dread- 
fully, that  it  seemed  certain  death  to  go  near  her. 
And  now,  what  should  they  do? 

10.  The  captain  told  one  of  the  men  to  go  aloft 
and  throw  down  a rope.  This  was  made  fast  to  the 
boat,  and  when  the  sea  was  somewhat  calm  it  was 
hoisted,  and  all  fell  down  into  the  ship  with  a dread- 
ful crash.  It  was  a desperate  way  of  getting  on  board; 
but  fortunately  no  lives  were  lost. 

11.  On  the  dangerous  points  along  our  sea-coast  are 
light-houses,  which  can  be  seen  far  out  at  sea,  and 
serve  as  guides  to  ships.  Sometimes  the  fog  is  so 
dense  that  these  lights  can  not  be  seen,  but  most 
light-houses  have  great  fog-bells  or  fog-horns;  some  of 
the  latter  are  made  to  sound  by  steam,  and  can  be 
heard  for  a long  distance.  These  bells  and  horns  are 
kept  sounding  as  long  as  the  fog  lasts. 

12.  There  are  also  many  life-saving  stations  along 
the  coast  where  trained  men  are  ready  with  life-boats. 
When  a ship  is  driven  ashore  they  at  once  go  to  the 


58 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


rescue  of  those  on  board,  and  thus  many  valuable 
lives  are  saved. 

13.  Take  it  all  in  all,  a sailor’s  life  is  a very  hard 
one.  Our  young  friends  owe  a debt  of  gratitude  to 
those  whose  home  is  upon  the  great  waters,  and  who 
bring  them  the  luxuries  of  other  countries. 

Definitions. — 4.  Echoed,  sounded  again.  Gale,  a wind  storm. 
5.  Heaveg,  pitches  up  and  down.  7.  Biblowg,  waves.  10.  D&s'- 
per-ate,  hopeless.  11.  F6g,  watery  vapor , mist.  13.  Grat'i-tude, 
thankfulness.  Lux'u-rieg,  nice  things. 

Exercises.— What  is  this  lesson  about  ? When  is  it  danger- 
ous to  be  at  sea?  What  do  sailors  then  do?  In  what  situation 
are  they  most  likely  to  be  saved  ? Relate  the  story  of  the  man 
overboard.  Tell  about  the  light-houses.  How  are  vessels  warned 
of  danger  in  a fog?  What  about  the  life-saving  stations? 
What  is  said  of  a sailor’s  life? 


XVIII.  THE  SAILOR’S  CONSOLATION. 

Charles  Dibdin,  the  author,  was  born  at  Southampton,  England,  in 
1745  He  is  best  known  as  the  writer  of  a number  of  fine  sea  songs. 

1.  One  night  came  on  a hurricane, 

The  sea  was  mountains  rolling, 

When  Barney  Buntline  turned  his  quid, 

And  said  to  Billy  Bowling: 

“A  strong  nor-wester’s  blowing,  Bill; 

Hark ! don’t  ye  hear  it  roar  now  ? 

Lord  help  ’em,  how  I pities  all 
Unhappy  folks  on  shore  now! 

2.  “ Fool-hardy  chaps  who  live  in  town, 

What  danger  they  are  all  in, 


FOURTH  READER. 


59 


And  now  are  quaking  in  their  beds, 
For  fear  the  roof  shall  fall  in: 

Poor  creatures,  how  they  envy  us, 

And  wish,  as  I’ve  a notion, 

For  our  good  luck,  in  such  a storm, 

To  be  upon  the  ocean. 

3.  “But  as  for  them  who ’re  out  all  day, 

On  business  from  their  houses, 

And  late  at  night  are  coming  home, 

To  cheer  the  babes  and  spouses; 
While  you  and  I,  Bill,  on  the  deck, 
Are  comfortably  lying, 

My  eyes ! what  tiles  and  chimney-pots 
About  their  heads  are  flying! 

4.  “And  very  often  have  we  heard 

How  men  are  killed  and  undone 
By  overturns  of  carriages, 

By  thieves,  and  fires  in  London. 

We  know  what  risks  all  landsmen  run, 
From  noblemen  to  tailors; 

Then,  Bill,  let  us  thank  Providence 
That  you  and  I are  sailors.” 


Definitions. — 1.  Hur'ri-eane,  a violent  windstorm.  Quid,  a 
small  piece  of  tobacco.  2.  FooF-hard'y,  reckless.  Quak'ing,  shak- 
ing with  fear.  No'tion,  idea.  3.  Spoug'eg,  wives.  Tile§,  thin 
pieces  of  baked  clay  used  in  roofing  houses.  Chim/ney-p6ts, 
earthenware  tops  of  chimneys.  4.  Un-done',  injured , ruined. 

Notes. — 1.  “ Barney  Buntline  ” and  “Billy  Bowling”  are 
supposed  to  be  two  sailors.  “Nor- wester”  is  a sailor’s  name  for 
a north-west  storm.  4.  “Landsmen”  is  a term  applied  by 
sailors  to  all  who  live  on  shore. 


60 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


XIX.  TWO  WAYS  OP  TELLING  A STORY. 


By  Henry  K.  Oliver. 


one  of  the  most  populous  cities  of  New  En- 
gland, a few  years  ago,  a party  of  lads,  all  members 
of  the  same  school,  got  up  a grand  sleigh-ride.  The 
sleigh  was  a very  large  one,  drawn  by  six  gray  horses* 

2.  On  the  following  day,  as  the  teacher  entered  the 
school-room,  he  found  his  pupils  in  high  glee,  as  they 
chattered  about  the  fun  and  frolic  of  their  excursion. 
In  answer  to  some  inquiries,  one  of  the  lads  gave  him 
an  account  of  their  trip  and  its  various  incidents. 

3.  As  he  drew  near  the  end  of  his  story,  he  ex- 
claimed: “Oh,  sir!  there  was  one  thing  I had  almost 
forgotten.  As  we  were  coming  home,  we  saw  ahead 


FOURTH  READER. 


61 


of  us  a queer  looking  affair  in  the  road.  It  proved 
to  be  a rusty  old  sleigh,  fastened  behind  a covered 
wagon,  proceeding  at  a very  slow  rate,  and  taking  up 
the  whole  road. 

4.  “ Finding  that  the  owner  was  not  disposed  to 
turn  out,  we  determined  upon  a volley  of  snow-balls 
and  a good  hurrah.  They  produced  the  right  effect, 
for  the  crazy  machine  turned  out  into  the  deep  snow, 
and  the  skinny  old  pony  started  on  a full  trot. 

5.  “As  we  passed,  some  one  gave  the  horse  a good 
crack,  which  made  him  run  faster  than  he  ever  did 
before,  I’ll  warrant. 

6.  “ With  that,  an  old  fellow  in  the  wagon,  who  was 
buried  up  under  an  old  hat,  bawled  out,  4 Why  do  you 
frighten  my  horse  ?’  ‘Why  don’t  you  turn  out, 
then  ? 9 says  the  driver.  So  we  gave  him  three  rous- 
ing cheers  more.  His  horse  was  frightened  again,  and 
ran  up  against  a loaded  wagon,  and,  I believe,  almost 
capsized  the  old  creature — and  so  we  left  him.” 

7.  “Well,  boys,”  replied  the  teacher,  “take  your 
seats,  and  I will  tell  you  a story,  and  all  about  a 
sleigh -ride,  too.  Yesterday  afternoon  a very  venerable, 
old  clergyman  was  on  his  way  from  Boston  to  Salem, 
to  pass  the  rest  of  the  winter  at  the  house  of  his  son. 
That  he  might  be  prepared  for  journeying  in  the 
following  spring  he  took  with  him  his  wagon,  and  for 
the  winter  his  sleigh,  which  he  fastened  behind  the 
wagon. 

8.  “His  sight  and  hearing  were  somewhat  blunted 
by  age,  and  he  was  proceeding  very  slowly;  for  his 
horse  was  old  and  feeble,  like  his  owner.  He  was 
suddenly  disturbed  by  loud  hurrahs  from  behind,  and 
by  a furious  pelting  of  balls  of  snow  and  ice  upon  the 
top  of  his  wagon. 


62 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


9.  “ In  his  alarm  he  dropped  his  reins,  and  his 
horse  began  to  run  away.  In  the  midst  of  the  old 
man’s  trouble,  there  rushed  by  him,  with  loud  shouts, 
a large  party  of  boys,  in  a sleigh  drawn  by  six  horses. 
‘Turn  out!  turn  out,  old  fellow!’  ‘Give  us  the  road!’ 
‘What  will  you  take  for  your  pony?’  ‘What’s  the 
price  of  oats,  old  man?’  were  the  various  cries  that 
met  his  ears. 

10.  “ ‘ Pray,  do  not  frighten  my  horse ! ’ exclaimed 
the  infirm  driver.  ‘ Turn  out,  then ! turn  out ! ’ was 
the  answer,  which  was  followed  by  repeated  cracks 
and  blows  from  the  long  whip  of  the  ‘grand  sleigh,’ 
with  showers  of  snow-balls,  and  three  tremendous 
hurrahs  from  the  boys. 

11.  “The  terror  of  the  old  man  and  his  horse  was 
increased,  and  the  latter  ran  away  with  him,  to  the 
great  danger  of  his  life.  He  contrived,  however,  to 
stop  his  horse  just  in  season  to  prevent  his  being 
dashed  against  a loaded  wagon.  A short  distance 
brought  him  to  the  house  of  his  son.  That  son,  boys, 
is  your  instructor,  and  that  ‘ old  fellow,’  was  your 
teacher’s  father!” 

12.  When  the  boys  perceived  how  rude  and  unkind 
their  conduct  appeared  from  another  point  of  view, 
they  were  very  much  ashamed  of  their  thoughtlessness, 
and  most  of  them  had  the  manliness  to  apologize  to 
their  teacher  for  what  they  had  done. 

Definitions. — 1.  P6p/u-loiis,  full  of  inhabitants.  2.  Ex-cur7- 
sion,  a pleasure  trip.  In7£i-dents,  things  that  happen , events.  5. 
Warrant,  to  declare  with  assurance.  6.  Cap-sized7,  upset.  7.  V&n7- 
er-a-ble,  deserving  of  honor  and  respect.  8.  Blunged,  dulled. 

Exercises. — Repeat  the  boys’  story  of  the  sleigh-ride.  The 
teacher’s  story.  Were  the  boys  ill-natured  or  only  thoughtless? 
Is  thoughtlessness  any  excuse  for  rudeness  or  unkindness? 


FOURTH  READER. 


XX.  FREAKS  OF  THE  FROST. 

By  Hannah  Flagg:  Gould,  who  was  born  at  Lancaster,  Vermont,  in 
1789.  She  has  had  published  several  volumes  of  poems  (one  for  children) 
and  one  collection  of  prose  articles,  entitled  “ Gathered  Leaves.” 

1.  The  Frost  looked  forth  one  still,  clear  night, 

And  whispered,  “Now  I shall  be  out  of  sight; 

So  through  the  valley  and  over  the  height 

In  silence  Pll  take  my  way; 

I will  not  go  on,  like  that  blustering  train, 

The  wind  and  the  snow,  the  hail  and  the  rain, 
Who  make  so  much  bustle  and  noise  in  vain, 

But  Pll  be  as  busy  as  they.” 

2.  Then  he  flew  to  the  mountain,  and  powdered  its 

crest; 

He  lit  on  the  trees,  and  their  boughs  he  dressed 
In  diamond  beads;  and  over  the  breast 
Of  the  quivering  lake,  he  spread 
A coat  of  mail,  that  it  need  not  fear 
The  downward  point  of  many  a spear, 

That  he  hung  on  its  margin,  far  and  near, 

Where  a rock  could  rear  its  head. 

3.  He  went  to  the  windows  of  those  who  slept, 

And  over  each  pane,  like  a fairy,  crept; 

Wherever  he  breathed,  wherever  he  stepped, 

By  the  light  of  the  morn  were  seen 
Most  beautiful  things ; there  were  flowers  and 
trees ; 

There  were  bevies  of  birds,  and  swarms  of  bees; 
There  were  cities  with  temples  and  towers,  and 
these 

All  pictured  in  silver  sheen. 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


I.  But  he  did  one  thing  that  was  hardly  fair; 
He  peeped  in  the  cupboard,  and,  finding  there 
That  all  had  forgotten  for  him  to  prepare, 
“Now  just  to  set  them  a-thinking, 

I’ll  bite  this  basket  of  fruit,”  said  he, 

“This  costly  pitcher  I’ll  burst  in  three; 

And  the  glass  of  water  they’ve  left  for  me 
Shall  ‘ tchick ! ’ to  tell  them  I ’m  drinking.” 


Definitions. — 1.  Blus'ter-ing,  being  noisy  and  loud.  Btis'tle, 
stir.  2.  Crest,  the  top.  Quiv/er-ing,  trembling , shaking.  Mar- 
gin, edge , border.  3.  Bevfieg,  flocks.  Pictured,  painted.  Sheen, 
brightness , splendor  of  appearance. 


Exercises. — What  did  the  frost  say?  What  did  he  do  to 
the  mountain?  The  trees?  The  lake?  What  is  a “coat  of 
mail”?  What  did  he  do  to  the  window?  The  pitcher? 


XXI.  WASTE  NOT,  WANT  NOT. 

1.  Mr.  Jones.  Boys,  if  you  have  nothing  to  do,  will 
you  unpack  these  parcels  for  me? 

2.  The  two  parcels  were  exactly  alike,  both  of  them 
well  tied  up  with  good  whip-cord.  Ben  took  his  par- 
cel to  the  table,  and  began  to  examine  the  knot,  and 
then  to  untie  it. 

3.  John  took  the  other  parcel,  and  tried  first  at  one 
corner,  and  then  at  the  other,  to  pull  off  the  string. 
But  the  cord  had  been  too  well  secured,  and  he  only 
drew  the  knots  tighter. 

4.  John.  I wish  these  people  would  not  tie  up  their 
parcels  so  tightly,  as  if  they  were  never  to  be  undone. 
Why,  Ben,  how  did  you  get  yours  undone?  What  is 


FOURTH  READER. 


65 


in  your  parcel?  I wonder  what  is  in  mine!  I wish 
I could  get  the  string  off.  I will  cut  it. 

5.  Ben.  Oh,  no,  do  not  cut  it,  John!  Look,  what  a 
nice  cord  this  is,  and  yours  is  the  same.  It  is  a pity 
to  cut  it. 

6.  John.  Pooh!  what  signifies  a bit  of  pack-thread? 

7.  Ben.  It  is  whip-cord. 

8.  John.  Well,  whip-cord  then!  what  signifies  a bit 
of  whip-cord?  You  can  get  a piece  of  whip-cord 
twice  as  long  as  that  for  three  cents;  and  who  cares 
for  three  cents?  Not  I,  for  one.  So,  here  it  goes. 

9.  So  he  took  out  his  knife,  and  cut  it  in  several 
places. 

10.  Mr.  Jones.  Well,  my  boys,  have  you  undone  the 
parcels  for  me? 

11.  John.  Yes,  sir;  here  is  the  parcel. 

12.  Ben.  And  here  is  my  parcel,  father,  and  here  is 
also  the  string. 

13.  Mr.  Jones.  You  may  keep  the  string,  Ben, 

14.  Ben . Thank  you,  sir.  What  excellent  whip- 
cord it  is! 

15.  Mr.  Jones.  And  you,  John,  may  keep  your 
string,  too,  if  it  will  be  of  any  use  to  you. 

16.  John.  It  will  be  of  no  use  to  me,  thank  you, 
sir. 

17.  Mr.  Jones.  No,  I am  afraid  not,  if  this  is  it. 

18.  A few  weeks  after  this,  Mr.  Jones  gave  each  of 
his  sons  a new  top. 

19.  John.  How  is  this,  Ben?  These  tops  have  no 
strings.  What  shall  we  do  for  strings? 

20.  Ben.  I have  a string  that  will  do  very  well  for 
mine.  And  he  pulled  it  out  of  his  pocket. 

21.  John.  Why,  if  that  is  not  the  whip-cord!  I 
wish  I had  saved  mine. 

(4.-5.) 


66 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


22.  A few  days  afterward,  there  was  a shooting- 
match,  with  bows  and  arrows,  among  the  lads.  The 
prize  was  a fine  bow  and  arrows,  to  be  given  to  the 
best  marksman.  “Come,  come,”  said  Master  Sharp, 
“I  am  within  one  inch  of  the  mark.  I should  like  to 
see  who  will  go  nearer.” 

23.  John  drew  his  bow,  and  shot.  The  arrow 
struck  within  a quarter  of  an  inch  of  Master  Sharp’s. 
“Shoot  away,”  said  Sharp;  “but  you  must  understand 
the  rules.  We  settled  them  before  you  came.  You 
are  to  have  three  shots  with  your  own  arrows.  No- 
body is  to  borrow  or  lend.  So  shoot  away.” 

24.  John  seized  his  second  arrow;  “If  I have  any 
luck,”  said  he; — but  just  as  he  pronounced  the  word 
“luck,”  the  string  broke,  and  the  arrow  fell  from  his 
hands. 

25.  Master  Sharp.  There!  It  is  all  over  with  you. 

26.  Ben.  Here  is  my  bow  for  him,  and  welcome. 

27.  Master  Sharp.  No,  no,  sir;  that  is  not  fair. 
Did  you  not  hear  the  rules?  There  is  to  be  no  lend- 
ing. 

28.  It  was  now  Ben’s  turn  to  make  his  trial.  His 
first  arrow  missed  the  mark ; the  second  was  exactly 
as  near  as  John’s  first.  Before  venturing  the  last 
arrow,  Ben  very  prudently  examined  the  string  of  his 
bow ; and,  as  he  pulled  it  to  try  its  strength,  it 
snapped. 

29.  Master  Sharp  clapped  his  hands  and  danced  for 
joy.  But  his  dancing  suddenly  ceased,  when  careful 
Ben  drew  out  of  his  pocket  an  excellent  piece  of  cord, 
and  began  to  tie  it  to  the  bow. 

30.  “The  everlasting  whip-cord,  I declare!”  cried 
John.  “Yes,”  said  Ben,  “I  put  it  in  my  pocket  to- 
day, because  I thought  I might  want  it.” 


FOURTH  READER. 


67 


31.  Ben’s  last  arrow  won  the  prize;  and  when  the 
bow  and  arrows  were  handed  to  him,  John  said, 
“How  valuable  that  whip-cord  has  been  to  you,  Ben. 
I’ll  take  care  how  I waste  any  thing,  hereafter.” 

Definitions. — 2.  E^-amine,  to  look  at  carefully.  6.  Signi- 
fies, to  be  important.  22.  Marks'man,  one  who  shoots  well.  28. 
Pru'dent-ly,  with  proper  caution . 29.  Ceased,  stopped.  30.  Ev- 

er-lasting, lasting  always. 

Exercises. — What  is  this  lesson  designed  to  teach  ? Which 
of  the  boys  preserved  his  whip-cord?  What  good  did  it  do 
Aim?  What  did  the  other  boy  do  with  his?  What  was  the 
consequence?  What  did  he  learn  from  it? 


XXII.  JEANNETTE  AND  JO. 

By  Mary  Mapes  Dodge. 

1.  Two  girls  I know — Jeannette  and  Jo, 

And  one  is  always  moping; 

The  other  lassie,  come  what  mayf 
Is  ever  bravely  hoping. 

2.  Beauty  of  face  and  girlish  grace 

Are  theirs,  for  joy  or  sorrow ; 

Jeannette  takes  brightly  every  day, 

And  Jo  dreads  each  to-morrow. 

3.  One  early  morn  they  watched  the  dawn — 

I saw  them  stand  together; 

Their  whole  day’s  sport,  ’twas  very  plain, 
Depended  on  the  weather. 


68 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


4.  “’Twill  storm!”  cried  Jo.  Jeannette  spoke  low 

“Yes,  but  ’twill  soon  be  over.” 

And,  as  she  spoke,  the  sudden  shower 
Came,  beating  down  the  clover. 

5.  “I  told  you  so!”  cried  angry  Jo: 

“ It  always  is  a-raining ! ” 

Then  hid  her  face  in  dire  despair, 

Lamenting  and  complaining. 

6.  But  sweet  Jeannette,  quite  hopeful  yet, — 

I tell  it  to  her  honor, — 

Looked  up  and  waited  till  the  sun 
Came  streaming  in  upon  her. 

7.  The  broken  clouds  sailed  off  in  crowds, 

Across  a sea  of  glory. 

Jeannette  and  Jo  ran,  laughing,  in — 

Which  ends  my  simple  story. 

8.  Joy  is  divine.  Come  storm,  come  shine, 

The  hopeful  are  the  gladdest; 

And  doubt  and  dread,  children,  believe 
Of  all  things  are  the  saddest. 

9.  In  morning’s  light,  let  youth  be  bright; 

Take  in  the  sunshine  tender; 

Then,  at  the  close,  shall  life’s  decline 
Be  full  of  sunset  splendor. 

10.  And  ye  who  fret,  try,  like  Jeannette, 

To  shun  all  weak  complaining; 

And  not,  like  Jo,  cry  out  too  soon — 

“It  always  is  a-raining!” 


FOURTH  READER. 


69 


1.  The  lion  is  often  called  the  “king  of  beasts.” 
His  height  varies  from  three  to  four  feet,  and  he  is 
from  six  to  nine  feet  long.  His  coat  is  of  a yellowish 
brown  or  tawny  color,  and  about  his  neck  is  a great 
shaggy  mane  which  gives  his  head  a majestic  appear- 
ance. 

2.  The  strength  of  the  lion  is  so  great  that  he  can 
easily  crush  the  skulls  of  such  animals  as  the  horse  or 
ox  with  one  blow  of  his  paw.  No  one  who  has  not 
seen  the  teeth  of  a full  grown  lion  taken  out  of  their 
sockets  can  have  any  idea  of  their  real  size;  one  of 
them  forms  a good  handful,  and  might  easily  be  mis- 
taken for  a small  elephant’s  tooth. 

3.  The  home  of  the  lion  is  in  the  forests  of  Asia 
and  Africa,  where  he  is  a terror  to  man  and  beast. 
He  generally  lies  concealed  during  the  day,  but  as 
darkness  comes  on  he  prowls  about  where  other  ani- 


70 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


mals  are  accustomed  to  go  for  food  or  drink,  and 
springs  upon  them  unawares,  with  a roar  that  sounds 
like  the  rumble  of  thunder. 

4.  The  lion  sometimes  lives  to  a great  age.  One 
by  the  name  of  Pompey  died  at  London,  in  the  year 
1760,  at  the  age  of  seventy  years.  If  taken  when 
young  the  lion  can  be  tamed,  and  will  even  show 
marks  of  kindness  to  his  keeper. 

5.  In  a menagerie  at  Brussels,  there  was  a cell 
where  a large  lion,  called  Danco,  used  to  be  kept. 
The  cell  happened  to  be  in  need  of  repair,  and  the 
keeper,  whose  name  was  William,  desired  a carpenter 
to  come  and  mend  it.  The  carpenter  came,  but  was 
so  afraid  of  the  lion,  that  he  would  not  go  near  the 
cell  alone. 

6.  So  William  entered  the  cell,  and  led  the  lion  to 
the  upper  part  of  it,  while  the  other  part  was  refitting. 
He  played  with  the  lion  for  some  time;  but,  at  last, 
being  wearied,  both  he  and  the  lion  fell  asleep.  The 
carpenter  went  on  with  his  work,  and  when  he  had 
finished  he  called  out  for  William  to  come  and  see 
it. 

7.  He  called  again  and  again,  but  no  William  an- 
swered. The  poor  carpenter  began  to  be  frightened, 
lest  the  lion  had  made  his  dinner  of  the  keeper,  or 
else  crushed  him  with  his  great  paws.  He  crept 
round  to  the  upper  part  of  the  cell,  and  there,  look- 
ing through  the  railing,  he  saw  the  lion  and  William 
sleeping  side  by  side  as  contentedly  as  two  little 
brothers. 

8.  He  was  so  astonished  that  he  uttered  a loud 
cry.  The  lion,  awakened  by  the  noise,  stared  at  the 
carpenter  with  an  eye  of  fury,  and  then  placing  his 
paw  on  the  breast  of  his  keeper,  as  if  to  say,  “ Touch 


FOURTH  READER. 


71 


him  if  you  dare,”  the  heroic  beast  lay  down  to  sleep 
again.  The  carpenter  was  dreadfully  alarmed,  and,  not 
knowing  how  he  could  rouse  William,  he  ran  out  and 
related  what  he  had  seen. 

9.  Some  people  came,  and,  opening  the  door  of  the 
cell,  contrived  to  awaken  the  keeper,  who,  rubbing  his 
eyes,  quietly  looked  around  him,  and  expressed  himself 
very  well  satisfied  with  his  nap.  He  took  the  lion’s 
paw,  shook  it  kindly,  and  then  retired  uninjured  from 
the  cell. 

Definitions. — 1.  Ma-jes'tic,  royal , noble.  3.  Prowl§,  wanders 
in  search  of  prey.  Un-a-wareg7,  unexpectedly.  Rum'ble,  a low 
heavy  sound.  5.  Men-ag'e-rie,  a collection  of  wild  animals.  6.  Re- 
fitting, repairing.  8.  He-ro'-ic,  bold. 

Exercises.— Describe  the  lion’s  appearance.  What  is  said 
of  his  strength?  His  teeth?  Describe  the  lion’s  home  and 
habits.  To  what  age  do  lions  live?  Can  they  be  tamed?  Re- 
late the  story  about  the  lion  Danco. 


XXIV.  STRAWBERRIES. 

By  John  Townsend  Trowbridge,  who  was  born  at  Ogden,  N.  Y.,  in 
1827.  He  is  a well-known  author,  and  has  written  much  for  children 
both  in  poetry  and  prose. 

1.  Little  Pearl  Honey  dew,  six  years  old, 

From  her  bright  ear  parted  the  curls  of  gold; 

And  laid  her  head  on  the  strawberry  bed, 

To  hear  what  the  red-cheeked  berries  said. 

2.  Their  cheeks  were  blushing,  their  breath  was  sweet, 
She  could  almost  hear  their  little  hearts  beat; 

* And  the  tiniest,  lisping,  whispering  sound 

That  ever  you  heard,  came  up  from  the  ground. 


72 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


3.  “ Little  friends,”  she  said,  “I  wish  I knew 

How  it  is  you  thrive  on  snn  and  dew!” 

And  this  is  the  story  the  berries  told 
To  little  Pearl  Honeydew,  six  years  old. 

4.  “You  wish  you  knew?  And  so  do  we. 

But  we  can’t  tell  you,  unless  it  be 

That  the  same  Kind  Power  that  cares  for  you 

Takes  care  of  poor  little  berries,  too. 

5.  “Tucked  up  snugly,  and  nestled  below 

Our  cover-lid  of  wind-woven  snow, 

We  peep  and  listen,  all  winter  long, 

For  the  first  spring  day  and  the  bluebird’s  song. 

6.  “When  the  swallows  fly  home  to  the  old  brown 

shed, 

And  the  robins  build  on  the  bough  overhead, 
Then  out  from  the  mold,  from  the  darkness  and 
cold, 

Blossom  and  runner  and  leaf  unfold. 

7.  “Good  children,  then,  if  they  come  near, 

And  hearken  a good  long  while,  may  hear 
A wonderful  tramping  of  little  feet, — 

So  fast  we  grow  in  the  summer  heat. 

8.  “Our  clocks  are  the  flowers;  and  they  count  the 

hours 

Till  we  can  mellow  in  suns  and  showers, 

With  warmth  of  the  west-wind  and  heat  of  the 
south, 

A x*ipe  red  berry  for  a ripe  red  mouth. 


FOURTH  READER. 


73 


9.  “ Apple-blooms  whiten,  and  peach-blooms  fall, 

And  roses  are  gay  by  the  garden  wall, 

Ere  the  daisy’s  dial  gives  the  sign 
That  we  can  invite  little  Pearl  to  dine. 

10.  “The  days  are  longest,  the  month  is  June, 

The  year  is  nearing  its  golden  noon, 

The  weather  is  fine,  and  our  feast  is  spread 
With  a green  cloth  and  berries  red. 

11.  “Just  take  us  betwixt  your  finger  and  thumb, — 

And  quick,  Oh,  quick!  for,  see!  there  come 
Tom  on  all-fours,  and  Martin  the  man, 

And  Margaret,  picking  as  fast  as  they  can. 

12.  “Oh,  dear!  if  you  only  knew  how  it  shocks 

Nice  berries  like  us  to  be  sold  by  the  box, 

And  eaten  by  strangers,  and  paid  for  with  pelf, 
You  would  surely  take  pity,  and  eat  us  your- 
self!” 

13.  And  this  is  the  story  the  small  lips  told 
To  dear  Pearl  Honeydew,  six  years  old, 

When  she  laid  her  head  on  the  strawberry-bed 
To  hear  what  the  red-cheeked  berries  said. 


Definitions. — 3.  Thrive,  to  grow  well , to  flourish.  5.  N&stfied, 
gathered  closely  together.  6.  Mold,  fine , soft  earth.  Fun'ner,  a 
slender  branch  running  along  the  ground.  8.  M&Flow,  to  ripen. 
9.  Dl'al,  the  face  of  a time-piece.  10.  Feast,  a festive  or  joyous 
meal , a banquet.  12.  P61f,  money. 

Exercises. — What  did  little  Pearl  ask  of  the  strawberries? 
What  did  they  reply?  Can  you  tell  what  name  is  given  to 
this  kind  of  story? 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


QJ  > 

74 


XXV.  HARRY’S  RICHES. 

1.  One  day,  our  little  Harry  spent  the  morning  with 
his  young  playmate,  Johnny  Crane,  who  lived  in  a fine 
house,  and  on  Sundays  rode  to  church  in  the  grandest 
carriage  to  be  seen  in  all  the  country  round. 

2.  When  Harry  returned  home,  he  said,  “ Mother, 
Johnny  has  money  in  both  pockets!” 

3.  “Has  he,  dear?” 

4.  “Yes,  ma’am;  and  he  says  he  could  get  ever  so 
much  more  if  he  wanted  it.” 

5.  “Well,  now,  that’s  very  pleasant  for  him,”  I re- 
turned, cheerfully,  as  a reply  was  plainly  expected. 
“Very  pleasant;  don’t  you  think  so?” 

6.  “Yes,  ma’am;  only — ” 

7.  “Only  what,  Harry?” 

8.  “Why,  he  has  a big  pop-gun,  and  a watch,  and 
a hobby-horse,  and  lots  of  things.”  And  Harry 
looked  up  at  my  face  with  a disconsolate  stare. 

9.  “Well,  my  boy,  what  of  that?” 

10.  “Nothing,  mother,”  and  the  tell-tale  tears  sprang 
to  his  eyes,  “only  I guess  we  are  very  poor,  aren’t 
we?” 

11.  “No,  indeed,  Harry,  we  are  very  far  from  being 
poor.  We  are  not  so  rich  as  Mr.  Crane’s  family,  if 
that  is  what  you  mean.” 

12.  “O  mother!”  insisted  the  little  fellow,  “I  do 
think  we  are  very  poor;  anyhow,  I am!” 

13.  “ O Harry ! ” I exclaimed,  reproachfully. 

14.  “Yes,  ma’am  I am,”  he  sobbed;  “I  have 
scarcely  any  thing — I mean  any  thing  that’s  worth 
money — except  things  to  eat  and  wear,  and  I’d  have 
to  have  them  any  way.” 


FOURTH  READER. 


75 


15.  “Have  to  have  them?”  I echoed,  at  the  same 

time  laying  my  sewing  upon  the  table,  so  that  I 

might  reason  with  him  on  that  point;  “do  you  not 
know,  my  son — ” 

16.  Just  then  Uncle  Ben  looked  up  from  the  paper 

he  had  been  reading:  “'Harry,”  said  he,  “I  want  to 
find  out  something  about  eyes;  so,  if  you  will  let  me 
have  yours,  I will  give  you  a dollar  apiece  for 

them.” 

17.  “For  my  eyes!”  exclaimed  Harry,  very  much 
astonished. 

18.  “Yes,”  resumed  Uncle  Ben,  quietly,  “for  your 

eyes.  I will  give  you  chloroform,  so  it  will  not  hurt 

you  in  the  least,  and  you  shall  have  a beautiful  glass 
pair  for  nothing,  to  wear  in  their  place.  Come,  a dol- 
lar apiece,  cash  down!  What  do  you  say?  I will 
take  them  out  as  quick  as  a wink.” 

19.  “Give  you  my  eyes,  uncle!”  cried  Harry,  look- 
ing wild  at  the  very  thought,  “ I think  not.”  And 
the  startled  little  fellow  shook  his  head  defiantly. 

20.  “Well,  five,  ten,  twenty  dollars,  then.”  Harry 
shook  his  head  at  every  offer. 

21.  “No,  sir!  I wouldn’t  let  you  have  them  for  a 
thousand  dollars ! What  could  I do  without  my 
eyes?  I couldn’t  see  mother,  nor  the  baby,  nor  the 
flowers,  nor^  the  horses,  nor  any  thing,”  added  Harry, 
growing  warmer  and  warmer. 

22.  “ I will  give  you  two  thousand,”  urged  Uncle 
Ben,  taking  a roll  of  bank-notes  out  of  his  pocket. 
Harry,  standing  at  a respectful  distance,  shouted  that 
he  never  would  do  any  such  thing. 

23.  “Very  well,”  continued  the  uncle,  with  a seri- 
ous air,  at  the  same  time  writing  something  in  his 
note-book,  “I  can’t  afford  to  give  you  more  than  two 


76 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


thousand  dollars,  so  I shall  have  to  do  without  your 
eyes;  but,”  he  added,  “I  will  tell  you  what  I will 
do,  I will  give  you  twenty  dollars  if  you  will  let  me 
put  a few  drops  from  this  bottle  in  your  ears.  It 
will  not  hurt,  but  it  will  make  you  deaf.  I want  to 
try  some  experiments  with  deafness,  you  see.  Come 
quickly,  now!  Here  are  the  twenty  dollars  all  ready 
for  you.” 

24.  “Make  me  deaf!”  shouted  Harry,  without  even 
looking  at  the  gold  pieces  temptingly  displayed  upon 
the  table.  “ I guess  you  will  not  do  that,  either. 
Why,  I couldn’t  hear  a single  word  if  I were  deaf, 
could  I?” 

‘25.  “Probably  not,”  replied  Uncle  Ben.  So,  of 
course,  Harry  refused  again.  He  would  never  give 
up  his  hearing,  he  said,  “no,  not  for  three  thousand 
dollars.” 

26.  Uncle  Ben  made  another  note  in  his  book,  and 
then  came  out  with  large  bids  for  “a  right  arm,”  then 
“left  arm,”  “hands,”  “feet,”  “nose,”  finally  ending 
with  an  offer  of  ten  thousand  dollars  for  “mother,” 
and  five  thousand  for  “the  baby.” 

27.  To  all  of  these  offers  Harry  shook  his  head, 
his  eyes  flashing,  and  exclamations  of  surprise  and  in- 
dignation bursting  from  his  lips.  At  last,  Uncle  Ben 
said  he  must  give  up  his  experiments,  for  Harry’s 
prices  were  entirely  too  high. 

28.  “Ha!  ha!”  laughed  the  boy,  exultingly,  and  he 
folded  his  dimpled  arms  and  looked  as  if  to  say, 
“I’d  like  to  see  the  man  who  could  pay  them!” 

29.  “ Why,  Harry,  look  here ! ” exclaimed  Uncle 
Ben,  peeping  into  his  note-book,  “ here  is  a big  addi- 
tion sum,  I tell  you!”  He  added  the  numbers,  and 
they  amounted  to  thirty-two  thousand  dollars. 


FOURTH  READER. 


77 


30.  “There,  Harry  ,”  said  Uncle  Ben,  “don’t  you 
think  you  are  foolish  not  to  accept  some  of  my 
offers?”  “No,  sir,  I don’t,”  answered  Harry,  reso- 
lutely. “Then,”  said  Uncle  Ben,  “you  talk  of  being 
poor,  and  by  your  own  showing  you  have  treasures 
for  which  you  will  not  take  thirty-two  thousand  dol- 
lars. What  do  you  say  to  that?” 

31.  Harry  didn’t  know  exactly  what  to  say.  So 
he  blushed  for  a second,  and  just  then  tears  came  roll- 
ing down  his  cheeks,  and  he  threw  his  chubby  arms 
around  my  neck.  “Mother,”  he  whispered,  “isn’t 
God  good  to  make  every  body  so  rich?” 

Definitions. — 8.  Dis-cftn'so-late,  filled  with  grief.  13.  Re- 
proachful-] y,  with  censure  or  reproof.  18.  Chlofo-form,  an  oily 
liquid,  the  vapor  of  which  , causes  insensibility.  19.  Startded, 
shocked.  De-fl'ant-ly,  daringly.  23.  Af-ford7,  to  be  able  to  pay 
for.  Ex-perfments,  acts  performed  to  discover  some  truth.  27. 
Ex-ela-ma/tion  §,  expressions  of  surprise,  anger,  etc.  28.  E^-ult7- 
ing-ly,  in  a triumphant  manner.  30.  Treasures,  things  which  are 
very  much  valued . 


XXVI.  IN  TIME’S  SWING. 

By  Lucy  Larcom. 

1.  Father  Time,  your  footsteps  go 
Lightly  as  the  falling  snow. 

In  your  swing  I’m  sitting,  see! 
Push  me  softly ; one,  two,  three, 
Twelve  times  only.  Like  a sheet, 
Spread  the  snow  beneath  my  feet. 
Singing  merrily,  let  me  swing 
Out  of  winter  into  spring. 


78 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


2.  Swing  me  out,  and  swing  me  in! 
Trees  are  bare,  but  birds  begin 
Twittering  to  the  peeping  leaves, 

On  the  bough  beneath  the  eaves. 
Wait, — one  lilac  bud  I saw. 

Icy  hill-sides  feel  the  thaw. 

April  chased  off  March  to-day; 

Now  I catch  a glimpse  of  May. 

3.  Oh,  the  smell  of  sprouting  grass ! 

In  a blur  the  violets  pass. 

Whispering  from  the  wild-wood  come 
Mayflower’s  breath  and  insect’s  hum. 
Roses  carpeting  the  ground ; 

Thrushes,  orioles,  warbling  sound. — 
Swing  me  low,  and  swing  me  high, 
To  the  warm  clouds  of  July. 

4.  Slower  now,  for  at  my  side 
White  pond  lilies  open  wide. 
Underneath  the  pine’s  tall  spire 
Cardinal  blossoms  burn  like  fire. 

They  are  gone;  the  golden-rod 
Flashes  from  the  dark  green  sod. 
Crickets  in  the  grass  I hear; 

Asters  light  th^  fading  year. 

5.  Slower  still ! October  weaves 
Rainbows  of  the  forest  leaves. 
Gentians  fringed,  like  eyes  of  blue, 
Glimmer  out  of  sleety  dew. 
Meadow-green  I sadly  miss: 

Winds  through  withered  sedges  hiss. 
Oh,  ’t  is  snowing,  swing  me  fast, 
While  December  shivers  past! 


FOURTH  READER. 


79 


6.  Frosty-bearded  Father  Time, 

Stop  your  footfall  on  the  rime! 

Hard  you  push,  your  hand  is  rough; 

You  have  swung  me  long  enough. 

“Nay,  no  stopping,”  say  you?  Well, 

Some  of  your  best  stories  tell, 

While  you  swing  me — gently,  do! — 

From  the  Old  Year  to  the  New. 

Definitions. — 2.  Twit'ter-ing,  making  a succession  of  small , 
chirping  noises.  Glimpse,  a short , hurried  view.  3.  Blur,  a dim , 
confused  appearance.  6.  Rime,  white  or  hoar  frost . 


XXVII.  HARRY  AND  HIS  DOG. 

1.  “Beg,  Frisk,  beg,”  said  little  Harry,  as  he  sat 
on  an  inverted  basket,  at  his  grandmother’s  door,  eat- 
ing, with  great  satisfaction,  a porringer  of  bread  and 
milk.  His  little  sister  Annie,  who  had  already  dis- 
patched her  breakfast,  sat  on  the  ground  opposite  to 
him,  now  twisting  her  flowers  into  garlands,  and  now 
throwing  them  away. 

2.  “Beg,  Frisk,  beg!”  repeated  Harry,  holding  a 
bit  of  bread  just  out  of  the  dog’s  reach;  and  the 
obedient  Frisk  squatted  himself  on  his  hind  legs,  and 
held  up  his  fore  paws,  waiting  for  master  Harry  to 
give  him  the  tempting  morsel. 

3.  The  little  boy  and  the  little  dog  were  great 
friends.  Frisk  loved  him  dearly,  much  better  than 
he  did  any  one  else;  perhaps,  because  he  recollected 
that  Harry  was  his  earliest  and  firmest  friend  during 
a time  of  great  trouble. 


80 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


4.  Poor  Frisk  had  come  as  a stray  dog  to  Milton, 
the  place  where  Harry  lived.  If  he  coaid  have  told 
his  own  story,  it  would  probably  have  been  a very 
pitiful  one,  of  kicks  and  cuffs,  of  hunger  and  foul 
weather. 

5.  Certain  it  is,  he  made  his  appearance  at  the  very 
door  where  Harry  was  now  sitting,  in  miserable  plight, 
wet,  dirty,  and  half-starved;  and  that  there  he  met 
Harry,  who  took  a fancy  to  him,  and  Harry’s  grand- 
mother, who  drove  him  off  with  a broom. 

6.  Harry,  at  length,  obtained  permission  for  the 
little  dog  to  remain  as  a sort  of  out-door  pensioner, 
and  fed  him  with  stray  bones  and  cold  potatoes,  and 
such  things  as  he  could  get  for  him.  He  also  pro- 
vided him  with  a little  basket  to  sleep  in,  the  very 
same  which,  turned  up,  afterward  served  Harry  for  a 
seat. 

7.  After  a while,  having  proved  his  good  qualities 
by  barking  away  a set  of  pilferers,  who  were  making 
an  attack  on  the  great  pear-tree,  he  was  admitted  into 
the  house,  and  became  one  of  its  most  vigilant  and 
valued  inmates.  He  could  fetch  or  carry  either  by 
land  or  water;  would  pick  up  a thimble  or  a ball  of 
cotton,  if  little  Annie  should  happen  to  drop  them; 
or  take  Harry’s  dinner  to  school  for  him  with  perfect 
honesty. 

8.  “Beg,  Frisk,  beg!”  said  Harry,  and  gave  him, 
after  long  waiting,  the  expected  morsel.  Frisk  was 
satisfied,  but  Harry  was  not.  The  little  boy,  though 
a good-humored  fellow  in  the  main,  had  turns  of 
naughtiness,  which  were  apt  to  last  him  all  day,  and 
this  promised  to  prove  one  of  his  worst.  It  was  a 
holiday,  and  in  the  afternoon  his  cousins,  Jane  and 
William,  were  to  come  and  see  him  and  Annie;  and 


FOURTH  READER. 


81 


the  pears  were  to  be  gathered,  and  the  children  were 
to  have  a treat. 

9.  Harry,  in  his  impatience,  thought  the  morning 
would  never  be  over.  He  played  such  pranks — buffet- 
ing Frisk,  cutting  the  curls  off  of  Annie’s  doll,  and 
finally  breaking  his  grandmother’s  spectacles — that  be- 
fore his  visitors  arrived,  indeed,  almost  immediately 
after  dinner,  he  contrived  to  be  sent  to  bed  in  dis- 
grace. 


10.  Poor  Harry!  there  he  lay,  rolling  and  kicking, 
while  Jane,  and  William,  and  Annie  were  busy  about 
the  fine,  mellow  Windsor  pears.  William  was  up  in 
the  tree,  gathering  and  shaking;  Annie  and  Jane 
catching  them  in  their  aprons,  and  picking  them  up 
from  the  ground;  now  piling  them  in  baskets,  and 
now  eating  the  nicest  and  ripest;  while  Frisk  was 
barking  gayly  among  them,  as  if  he  were  catching 
Windsor  pears,  too! 

11.  Poor  Harry!  He  could  hear  all  this  glee  and 
merriment  through  the  open  window,  as  he  lay  in 

(4.-6.) 


82 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


bed.  The  storm  of  passion  having  subsided,  there  he 
lay  weeping  and  disconsolate,  a grievous  sob  bursting 
forth  every  now  and  then,  as  he  heard  the  loud  peals 
of  childish  laughter,  and  as  he  thought  how  he  should 
have  laughed,  and  how  happy  he  should  have  been, 
had  he  not  forfeited  all  this  pleasure  by  his  own  bad 
conduct. 

12.  He  wondered  if  Annie  would  not  be  so  good- 
natured  as  to  bring  him  a pear.  All  on  a sudden,  he 
heard  a little  foot  on  the  stair,  pitapat,  and  he  thought 
she  was  coming.  Pitapat  came  the  foot,  nearer  and 
nearer,  and  at  last  a small  head  peeped,  half-afraid, 
through  the  half-open  door. 

13.  But  it  was  not  Annie’s  head;  it  was  Frisk’s — 1 
poor  Frisk,  whom  Harry  had  been  teasing  and  tor- 
menting all  the  morning,  and  who  came  into  the  room 
wagging  his  tail,  with  a great  pear  in  his  mouth;  and, 
jumping  upon  the  bed,  he  laid  it  in  the  little  boy’s 
hand. 

14.  Is  not  Frisk  a fine,  grateful  fellow?  and  does 
he  not  deserve  a share  of  Harry’s  breakfast,  whether 
he  begs  for  it  or  not?  And  little  Harry  will  remem- 
ber from  the  events  of  this  day  that  kindness,  even 
though  shown  to  a dog,  will  always  be  rewarded;  and 
that  ill-nature  and  bad-temper  are  connected  with  noth- 
ing but  pain  and  disgrace. 


Definitions. — 1.  In-vert'ed,  turned  upside  down.  Pftr'rin-ger, 
a small  metallic  dish . 3.  R&e-ol-lget/ed,  brought  back  to  mind. 

5.  Plight,  condition.  6.  P&n'sion-er,  one  who  is  supported  by 
others.  7.  Pihfer-erg,  those  who  steal  little  things.  Vig'i-lant, 
watchful.  In'mates,  those  living  in  the  same  house.  8.  H6Fi-day, 
a day  of  amusement.  9.  BuFfet-ing,  striking  with  the  hand.  11. 
Sub-sTd'ed,  become  quiet.  For'feit-ed,  lost.  14.  Con-needed, 
united , have  a close  relation. 


FOURTH  READER. 


83 


XXVIII.  THE  VOICE  OF  THE  GRASS. 


By  Sarah  Roberts. 


1.  Here  I come,  creeping,  creeping,  every -where; 
By  the  dusty  road-side, 

On  the  sunny  hill-side, 

Close  by  the  noisy  brook, 

In  every  shady  nook, 

I come  creeping,  creeping,  every-where. 


2.  Here  I come,  creeping,  creeping  every-where; 
All  round  the  open  door, 

Where  sit  the  aged  poor, 

Here  where  the  children  play, 

In  the  bright  and  merry  May, 

I come  creeping,  creeping,  every-where. 


3.  Here  I come,  creeping,  creeping,  every-where; 

You  can  not  see  me  coming, 

Nor  hear  my  low,  sweet  humming, 

For  in  the  starry  night, 

And  the  glad  morning  light, 

I come,  quietly  creeping,  every-where. 

4.  Here  I come,  creeping,  creeping,  every-where; 

More  welcome  than  the  flowers, 

In  summer’s  pleasant  hours; 

The  gentle  cow  is  glad, 

Ana  tne  merry  birds  not  sad, 

To  see  me  creeping,  creeping,  every-where. 


84 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


5.  Here  I come,  creeping,  creeping,  every-where; 

When  you’re  numbered  with  the  dead, 
In  your  still  and  narrow  bed, 

In  the  happy  spring  I’ll  come, 

And  deck  your  narrow  home, 

Creeping,  silently  creeping,  every-where. 

6.  Here  I come,  creeping,  creeping,  every-where; 

My  humble  song  of  praise, 

Most  gratefully  I raise, 

To  Him  at  whose  command. 

I beautify  the  land, 

Creeping,  silently  creeping,  every-where. 


XXIX.  THE  EAGLE. 

1.  The  eagle  seems  to  enjoy  a kind  of  supremacy 
over  the  rest  of  the  inhabitants  of  the  air.  Such  is 
the  loftiness  of  his  flight,  that  he  often  soars  in  the 
sky  beyond  the  reach  of  the  naked  eye,  and  such  is 
his  strength  that  he  has  been  known  to  carry  away 
children  in  his  talons.  But  many  of  the  noble  quali- 
ties imputed  to  him  are  rather  fanciful  than  true. 

2.  He  has  been  described  as  showing  a lofty  inde- 
pendence, which  makes  him  disdain  to  feed  on  any 
thing  that  is  not  slain  by  his  own  strength.  But 
Alexander  Wilson,  the  great  naturalist,  says  that  he 
has  seen  an  eagle  feasting  on  the  carcass  of  a horse. 
The  eagle  lives  to  a great  age.  One  at  Vienna,  is 
stated  to  have  died  after  a confinement  of  one  hun- 
dred and  four  years. 


FOURTH  READER. 


85 


3.  There  are  several  species  of  the  eagle.  The 
golden-eagle,  which  is  one  of  the  largest,  is  nearly 
four  feet  from  the  point  of  the  beak  to  the  end  of  the 
tail.  He  is  found  in  most  parts  of  Europe,  and  is 
also  met  with  in  America.  High  rocks  and  ruined 
and  lonely  towers  are  the  places  which  he  chooses  for 
his  abode.  His  nest  is  composed  of  sticks  and  rushes. 
The  tail  feathers  are  highly  valued  as  ornaments  by 
the  American  Indians. 

4.  The  most  interesting  species  is  the  bald-eagle, 
as  this  is  an  American  bird,  and  the  adopted  emblem 
of  our  country.  He  lives  chiefly  upon  fish,  and  is 
found  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  sea,  and  along  the 
shores  and  cliffs  of  our  large  lakes  and  rivers. 

5.  According  to  the  description  given  by  Wilson, 
he  depends,  in  procuring  his  food,  chiefly  upon  the 
labors  of  others.  He  watches  the  fish-hawk  as  he 
dives  into  the  sea  for  his  prey,  and  darting  down 
upon  him  as  he  rises,  forces  him  to  relinquish  his 
victim,  and  then  seizes  it  before  it  again  reaches  the 
water. 

6.  One  of  the  most  notable  species  is  the  harpy- 
eagle.  This  is  said  to  be  bold  and  strong,  and  to 
attack  beasts,  and  even  man  himself.  He  is  fierce, 
quarrelsome,  and  sullen,  living  alone  in  the  deepest 
forests.  He  is  found  chiefly  in  South  America. 


Definitions. — 1.  Su-pr&m'a-^y,  highest  authority.  Soar§,  flies 
aloft.  Im-put'ed,  ascribed  to.  2.  Ldft/y,  haughty , dignified.  Di§- 
dain',  to  scorn.  Carcass,  the  dead  body  of  an  animal . 3.  Spff- 
cie§,  classes.  4.  In'ter-gst-ing,  engaging  the  attention.  A-d5ptred, 
selected , chosen.  Emflblem,  that  which  is  supposed  to  resemble  some 
other  thing  in  certain  qualities , and  is  used  to  represent  it.  5.  Re- 
linquish, to  give  up.  6.  Not'a-ble,  worthy  of  notice.  Sulflen, 
gloomily  angry  and  silent 


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ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


XXX.  THE  OLD  EAGLE-TREE. 

1.  In  a distant  field,  stood  a large  tulip-tree,  ap- 
parently of  a century’s  growth,  and  one  of  the  most 
gigantic.  It  looked  like  the  father  of  the  surrounding 
forest.  A single  tree  of  huge  dimensions,  standing  all 
alone,  is  a sublime  object. 

2.  On  the  top  of  this  tree,  an  old  eagle,  commonly 
called  the  “ Fishing-Eagle,”  had  built  her  nest  every 
year,  for  many  years,  and,  undisturbed,  had  raised  her 
young.  A remarkable  place  to  choose,  as  she  procured 
her  food  from  the  ocean,  and  this  tree  stood  full  ten 
miles  from  the  sea-shore.  It  had  long  been  known 
as  the  “Old  Eagle-Tree.” 

3.  On  a warm,  sunny  day,  the  workmen  were  hoe- 
ing corn  in  an  adjoining  field.  At  a certain  hour  of 
the  day,  the  old  eagle  was  known  to  set  off  for  the 
sea-side,  to  gather  food  for  her  young.  As  she  this 
day  returned  with  a large  fish  in  her  claws,  the  work- 
men surrounded  the  tree,  and,  by  yelling  and  hooting, 
and  throwing  stones,  so  scared  the  poor  bird  that  she 
dropped  her  fish,  and  they  carried  it  off  in  triumph. 

4.  The  men  soon  dispersed,  but  Joseph  sat  down 
under  a bush  near  by,  to  watch,  and  to  bestow  un- 
availing pity.  The  bird  soon  returned  to  her  nest, 
without  food.  The  eaglets  at  once  set  up  a cry  for 
food,  so  shrill,  so  clear,  and  so  clamorous  that  the  boy 
was  greatly  moved. 

5.  The  parent-bird  seemed  to  try  to  soothe  them ; 
but  their  appetites  were  too  keen,  and  it  was  all  in 
vain.  She  then  perched  herself  on  a limb  near  them, 
and  looked  down  into  the  nest  in  a manner  that 
seemed  to  say,  “I  know  not  what  to  do  next.”  ' 


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6c  Her  indecision  was  but  momentary;  again  she 
poised  herself,  uttered  one  or  two  sharp  notes,  as  if 
telling  them  to  “lie  still,”  balanced  her  body,  spread 
her  wings,  and  was  away  again  for  the  sea. 

7.  Joseph  was  determined  to  see  the  result.  His 
eye  followed  her  till  she  grew  small,  smaller,  a mere 
speck  in  the  sky,  and  then  disappeared.  What  boy 
has  not  thus  watched  the  flight  of  the  bird  of  his 
country ! 

8.  She  was  gone  nearly  two  hours,  about  double  her 
usual  time  for  a voyage,  when  she  again  returned,  on 
a slow,  weary  wing,  flying  uncommonly  low,  in  order 
to  have  a heavier  atmosphere  to  sustain  her,  with 
another  fish  in  her  talons. 

9.  On  nearing  the  field,  she  made  a circuit  round 
it,  to  see  if  her  enemies  were  again  there.  Finding 
the  coast  clear,  she  once  more  reached  the  tree,  droop- 
ing, faint,  and  weary,  and  evidently  nearly  exhausted. 
Again  the  eaglets  set  up  their  cry,  which  was  soon 
hushed  by  the  distribution  of  a dinner,  such  as,  save 
the  cooking,  a king  might  admire. 

10.  “Glorious  bird!”  cried  the  boy,  “what  a spirit!” 
Other  birds  can  fly  more  swiftly,  others  can  sing  more 
sweetly,  others  scream  more  loudly;  but  what  other 
bird,  when  persecuted  and  robbed,  when  weary,  when 
discouraged,  when  so  far  from  the  sea,  would  do 
this? 

11.  “Glorious  bird!  I will  learn  a lesson  from  thee 
to-day.  I will  never  forget,  hereafter,  that  when  the 
spirit  is  determined  it  can  do  almost  any  thing. 
Others  would  have  drooped,  and  hung  the  head,  and 
mourned  over  the  cruelty  of  man,  and  sighed  over  the 
wants  of  the  nestlings;  but  thou,  by  at  once  recover- 
ing the  loss,  hast  forgotten  all. 


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ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


12.  “I  will  learn  of  thee,  noble  bird!  I will  re- 

member this.  I will  set  my  mark  high.  I will  try 
to  do  something,  and  to  be  something  in  the  world;  I 
will  never  yield  to  discouragements.” 

Definitions. — 1.  C&nt2 * * * * 7u-ry,  the  space  of  a hundred  years. 
Gl-g{£n7tic,  very  large.  Di-m&n7sion§,  size.  Sub-lime7,  grand , noble. 
4.  Dis-persed7,  scattered.  Un-a-vail7ing,  useless.  Ea7glets,  young 
eagles.  Clam7or-ous,  loud,  noisy.  6.  In-de-9i§7ion,  want  of  fixed 
purpose.  Mo7ment-a-ry,  for  a single  moment.  9.  Circuit,  move- 
ment round  in  a circle.  E^-haust7ed,  wholly  tired  out.  11.  N&st7- 
ling§,  young  birds  in  the  nest. 

Exercises. — Relate  the  story  of  the  “Old  Eagle-Tree.”  What 
lesson  was  taught  the  boy  who  watched  the  eagle’s  actions? 


XXXI.  ALPINE  SONG. 

William  W.  Story,  the  author,  was  born  in  Salem,  Mass.,  in  1819.  His 
writings  in  poetry  and  prose  are  well  known,  and  he  has  also  gained 
distinction  in  his  profession  as  a sculptor. 

1.  With  alpenstock  and  knapsack  light, 

I wander  o’er  hill  and  valley; 

I climb  the  snow-peak’s  flashing  height, 

And  sleep  in  the  sheltered  chalet, — 

Free  in  heart — happy  and  free — 

This  is  the  summer  life  for  me. 

2.  The  city’s  dust  I leave  behind 

For  the  keen,  sweet  air  of  the  mountain, 

The  grassy  path  by  the  wild  rose  lined, 

The  gush  of  the  living  fountain, — 

Free  in  heart — happy  and  free — 

This  is  the  summer  life  for  me. 


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89 


3.  High  above  me  snow-clouds  rise, 

In  the  early  morning  gleaming; 

And  the  patterned  valley  beneath  me  lies 
Softly  in  sunshine  dreaming, — 

Free  in  heart — happy  and  free — 

This  is  the  summer  life  for  me. 

4.  The  bells  of  wandering  herds  I list, 

Chiming  in  upland  meadows; 

How  sweet  they  sound,  as  I lie  at  rest 
Under  the  dark  pine  shadows, — 

Glad  in  heart — happy  and  free — 

This  is  the  summer  life  for  me. 


Definitions. — 1.  AFpen-stftck,  a long  staff \ pointed  with  iron , 
used  in  traveling  among  the  Alps.  Knap'sack,  a leather  sack  for 
carrying  food  or  clothing , borne  on  the  back.  Cha-let  {pro. 
sha-la/),  a mountain  hut.  2.  Gush,  a rapid  outflowing.  3.  Pat- 
terned, marked  off  in  figures  or  patterns.  4.  List,  hearken  to. 


XXXII.  CIRCUMSTANCES  ALTER  CASES. 

1.  Derby.  Good  morning,  neighbor  Scrapewell.  I 
have  half  a dozen  miles  to  ride  to-day,  and  shall  be 
extremely  obliged  if  you  will  lend  me  your  gray 
mare. 

2.  Scrapewell.  It  would  give  me  great  pleasure  to 
oblige  you,  friend  Derby;  but  I am  under  the  neces- 
sity of  going  to  the  mill  this  very  morning,  with  a 
bag  of  corn.  My  wife  wants  the  meal  to-day,  and  you 
know  what  a time  there’ll  be  if  I disappoint  her. 


90 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


3.  D . Then  she  must  want  it  still,  for  I can  assure 
you  the  mill  does  not  go  to-day.  I heard  the  miller 
tell  Will  Davis  that  the  water  was  too  low. 

4.  S.  You  don’t  say  so!  That  is  bad,  indeed;  for 
in  that  case  I shall  be  obliged  to  gallop  off  to  town 
for  the  meal.  My  wife  would  comb  my  head  for  me 
if  I should  neglect  it. 

5.  D.  I can  save  you  this  journey,  for  I have 
plenty  of  meal  at  home,  and  will  lend  your  wife  as 
much  as  she  wants. 

6.  S.  Ah!  neighbor  Derby,  I am  sure  your  meal 
would  never  suit  my  wife.  You  can’t  conceive  how 
whimsical  she  is. 

7.  D.  If  she  were  ten  times  more  whimsical  than 
she  is,  I am  certain  she  would  like  it;  for  you  sold  it 
to  me  yourself,  and  you  assured  me  it  was  the  best 
you  ever  had. 

8.  S.  Yes,  yes!  that’s  true,  indeed;  I always  have 
the  best  of  every  thing.  You  know,  neighbor  Derby, 
that  no  one  is  more  ready  to  oblige  a friend  than  I 
am;  but  I must  tell  you  the  mare  this  morning  re- 
fused to  eat  hay;  and,  truly,  I am  afraid  she  will  not 
carry  you. 

9.  D . Oh,  never  fear!  I will  feed  her  well  with 
oats  on  the  road. 

10.  S.  Oats!  neighbor;  oats  are  very  dear. 

11.  D.  Never  mind  that.  When  I have  a good  job 
in  view,  I never  stand  for  trifles. 

12.  S.  But  it  is  very  slippery;  and  I am  really 
afraid  she  will  fall  and  break  your  neck. 

13.  D.  Give  yourself  no  uneasiness  about  that. 
The  mare  is  certainly  sure-footed;  and,  besides,  you 
were  just  now  talking  of  galloping  her  to  town. 

14.  S.  Well,  then,  to  tell  you  the  plain  truth, 


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91 


though'  I wish  to  oblige  you  with  all  my  heart,  my 
saddle  is  torn  quite  in  pieces,  and  I have  just  sent  my 
bridle  to  be  mended. 

'<15.  D.  Luckily,  I have  both  a bridle  and  a saddle 
hanging  up  at  home. 

16.  S.  Ah!  that  may  be;  but  I am  sure  your  saddle 
will  never  fit  my  mare.  She’s  very  notional. 

17.  D.  Why,  then  I’ll  borrow  neighbor  Clodpole’s. 

18.  S.  Clodpole’s!  his  will  no  more  fit  than  yours. 

19.  D.  At  the  worst,  then,  I will  go  to  my  good 
friend,  Squire  Jones.  He  has  half  a score  of  them; 
and  I am  sure  he  will  lend  me  one  that  will  fit 
her. 

20.  S.  You  know,  friend  Derby,  that  no  one  is 
more  willing  to  oblige  his  neighbors  than  I am.  I 
do  assure  you  the  beast  should  be  at  your  service, 
with  all  my  heart;  but  she  has  not  been  curried,  I 
believe,  for  three  weeks  past.  Her  foretop  and  mane 
want  combing  and  cutting  very  much.  If  any  one 
should  see  her  in  her  present  plight,  it  would  ruin  the 
sale  of  her. 

21.  D.  Oh,  a horse  is  soon  curried,  and  my  son  Sam 
shall  attend  to  it  at  once. 

22.  S.  Yes,  very  likely;  but  I this  moment  recol- 
lect the  creature  has  no  shoes  on. 

23.  D.  Well,  is  there  not  a blacksmith  hard  by? 

24.  8.  What,  that  tinker,  Dobson?  I would  not 

trust  such  a bungler  to  shoe  a goat.  No,  no;  none 
but  uncle  Tom  Thumper  shall  shoe  my  mare. 

25.  D.  As  good  luck  will  have  it,  then,  I shall 

pass  right  by  his  door. 

26.  8.  [ Calling  to  his  son.]  Tim,  Tim!  here’s 

neighbor  Derby,  who  wants  the  loan  of  the  gray  mare, 
to  ride  to  town  to-day.  You  know  the  skin  was 


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ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


rubbed  off  her  back,  last  week,  a hand’s  breadth  or 
more.  [ Gives  Tim  a winkl\  However,  I believe  she 
is  well  enough  by  this  time.  You  know,  Tim,  how 
ready  I am  to  oblige  my  neighbors;  indeed,  we  ought 
to  do  all  the  good  we  can  in  this  world.  We  must 
certainly  let  neighbor  Derby  have  #her  if  she  will  pos- 
sibly answer  his  purpose.  Yes,  yes;  I see  plainly 
by  Tim’s  countenance,  neighbor  Derby,  that  he’s  dis- 
posed to  oblige  you.  I would  not  have  refused  you 


the  mare  for  the  worth  of  her.  If  I had,  I should 
have  expected  you  to  refuse  me  in  turn.  None  of  my 
neighbors  can  accuse  me  of  being  backward  in  doing 
them  a kindness  whenever  it  is  possible.  Come,  Tim, 
what  do  you  say? 

27.  Tim.  What  do  I tsay,  father?  Why,  sir,  I say 
that  I am  no  less  ready  than  you  are  to  do  a neigh- 
borly kindness.  But  the  mare  is  by  no  means  capable 
of  performing  the  journey.  About  a hand’s  breadth, 
did  you  say?  Why,  sir,  the  skin  is  torn  from  the 
poor  creature’s  back  the  bigness  of  your  broad- 
brimmed  hat!  And,  besides,  I have  promised  her,  so 


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93 


soon  as  she  is  able  to  travel,  to  Ned  Saunders,  to 
carry  a load  of  apples  to  market. 

i 28.  8.  Do  you  hear  that,  neighbor?  I am  very 
sorry  matters  are  thus.  I would  not  have  disobliged 
you  for  the  price  of  two  such  mares.  Believe  me, 
neighbor  Derby,  I am  really  sorry,  for  your  sake,  that 
matters  turn  out  thus. 

29.  D.  And  I as  much  for  yours,  neighbor  Scrape- 
well;  for  to  tell  you  the  truth  I received  a letter  this 
morning  from  Mr.  Griffin,  who  tells  me  if  I will  be 
in  town  to-day  he  will  give  me  the  refusal  of  all  that 
lot  of  timber,  which  he  is  about  cutting  down,  on  the 
side  of  the  hill;  and  I had  intended  you  should  have 
shared  half  of  it,  which  would  have  been  not  less 
than  fifty  dollars  in  your  pocket.  But,  as  your — 

30.  8.  Fifty  dollars,  did  you  say? 

31.  D.  Ay,  truly,  did  I;  but  as  your  mare  is  out 
of  order,  I’ll  go  and  see  if  I can  get  old  Roan,  the 
blacksmith’s  horse. 

32.  8.  Old  Roan ! My  mare  is  at  your  service, 
neighbor.  Here,  Tim,  tell  Ned  Saunders  he  can’t 
have  the  mare:  neighbor  Derby  wants  her;  and  I 
won’t  refuse  so  good  a friend  any  thing  he  asks 
for. 

33.  D.  But  what  are  you  to  do  for  meal? 

34.  S.  My  wife  can  do  without  it  for  a week  if  you 
want  the  mare  so  long. 

35.  D.  But,  then,  your  saddle  is  all  in  pieces. 

36.  8.  I meant  the  old  one.  I have  bought  a new 
one  since,  and  you  shall  have  the  first  use  of  it. 

37.  D.  And  shall  I call  at  Thumper’s  and  get  the 
mare  shod? 

38.  8.  No,  no;  I had  forgotten  to  tell  you  that 
I let  neighbor  Dobson  shoe  her,  last  week,  by  way 


94 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


of  trial;  and,  to  do  him  justice,  he  shoes  extremely 
well. 

39.  D.  But,  if  the  poor  creature  has  lost  so  much 
skin  from  off  her  back — 

40.  S.  Poh,  poll!  That  is  just  one  of  Tim’s  large 
stories.  I do  assure  you  it  was  not,  at  first,  bigger 
than  my  thumb-nail,  and  I am  certain  it  has  not 
grown  any  since. 

41.  D.  At  least,  however,  let  her  have  something 
she  will  eat,  since  she  refuses  hay. 

42.  S.  She  did,  indeed,  refuse  hay  this  morning; 
but  the  only  reason  was  that  she  was  crammed  full  of 
oats.  You  have  nothing  to  fear,  neighbor;  the  mare  is 
in  perfect  trim ; and  she  will  skim  you  over  the 
ground  like  a bird.  I wish  you  a good  journey  and 
a profitable  job. 

Definitions. — 1.  Ex-treme'ly,  very  much.  6.  Whim'gi-cal, 
full  of  whims.  20.  Cur'ried,  cleaned.  F ore7 top,  hair  on  the  forepart 
of  the  head.  24.  Bungler,  a clumsy  workman.  26.  Dis-p6§ed7, 
inclined  to.  Backward,  slow,  unwilling.  27.  Ca/pa-ble,  possessing 
ability.  Per-form'ing,  accomplishing.  29.  Re-fug'al,  choice  of  tak- 
ing. 42.  Crammed,  stuffed. 


XXXIII.  THE  NOBLEST  REVENGE. 

1.  “I  will  have  revenge  on  him,  that  I will,  and 
make  him  heartily  repent  it,”  said  Philip  to  himself, 
with  a countenance  quite  red  with  anger.  His  mind 
was  so  engaged  that  he  did  not  see  Stephen,  who  hap- 
pened at  that  instant  to  meet  him. 

2.  “Who  is  that,”  said  Stephen,  “on  wThom  you  in- 
tend to  be  revenged?”  Philip,  as  if  awakened  from  a 


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95 


dream,  stopped  short,  and  looking  at  his  friend,  soon 
resumed  a smile  that  was  natural  to  his  countenance. 
“Ah,”  said  he,  “you  remember  my  bamboo,  a very 
pretty  cane  which  was  given  me  by  my  father,  do  you 
not?  Look!  there  it  is  in  pieces.  It  was  farmer 
Robinson’s  son  who  reduced  it  to  this  worthless 
state.” 

3.  Stephen  very  coolly  asked  him  what  had  induced 
young  Robinson  to  break  it.  “I  was  walking  peace- 
ably along,”  replied  he,  “and  was  playing  with  my 
cane  by  twisting  it  round  my  body.  By  accident,  one 
of  the  ends  slipped  out  of  my  hand,  when  I was  oppo- 
site the  gate,  just  by  the  wooden  bridge,  where  the  ill- 
natured  fellow  had  put  down  a pitcher  of  water, 
which  he  was  taking  home  from  the  well. 

4.  “It  so  happened  that  my  cane,  in  springing 
back,  upset  the  pitcher,  but  did  not  break  it.  He 
came  up  close  to  me,  and  began  to  call  me  names, 
when  I assured  him  that  what  I had  done  had  hap- 
pened by  accident,  and  that  I was  sorry  for  it.  With- 
out regarding  what  I said,  he  instantly  seized  my 
cane,  and  twisted  it,  as  you  see;  but  I will  make 
him  repent  of  it.” 

5.  “ To  be  sure,”  said  Stephen,  “ he  is  a very 
wicked  boy,  and  is  already  very  properly  punished  for 
being  such,  since  nobody  likes  him  or  will  have  any 
thing  to  do  with  him.  He  can  scarcely  find  a com- 
panion to  play  with  him;  and  is  often  at  a loss  for 
amusement,  as  he  deserves  to  be.  This,  properly  con- 
sidered, I think  will  appear  sufficient  revenge  for 
you.” 

6.  “All  this  is  true,”  replied  Philip,  “ but  he  has 
broken  my  cane.  It  was  a present  from  my  father, 
and  a very  pretty  cane  it  was.  I offered  to  fill  his 


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ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


pitcher  for  him  again,  as  I knocked  it  down  by  acci- 
dent. I will  be  revenged.” 

7.  “Now,  Philip,”  said  Stephen,  “I  think  you  will 
act  better  in  not  minding  him,  as  your  contempt  will 
be  the  best  punishment  you  can  inflict  upon  him.  Be 
assured,  he  will  always  be  able  to  do  more  mischief  to 
you  than  you  choose  to  do  to  him.  And,  now  I 
think  of  it,  I will  tell  you  what  happened  to  him  not 
long  since. 

8.  “Very  unluckily  for  him,  he  chanced  to  see  a 
bee,  hovering  about  a flower,  which  he  caught,  and 
was  going  to  pull  off*  its  wings  out  of  sport,  when  the 
animal  stung  him,  and  flew  away  in  safety  to  the  hive. 
The  pain  put  him  into  a furious  passion,  and,  like 
you,  he  vowed  revenge.  He  accordingly  procured  a 
stick,  and  thrust  it  into  the  bee-hive. 

9.  “In  an  instant  the  whole  swarm  flew  out,  and 
alighting  upon  him  stung  him  in  a hundred  different 
places.  He  uttered  the  most  piercing  cries,  and  rolled 
upon  the  ground  in  the  excess  of  his  agony.  His 
father  immediately  ran  to  him,  but  could  not  put  the 
bees  to  flight  until  they  had  stung  him  so  severely 
that  he  was  confined  several  days  to  his  bed. 

10.  “Thus,  you  see,  he  was  not  very  successful  in 
his  pursuit  of  revenge.  I would  advise  you,  therefore, 
to  pass  over  his  insult.  He  is  a wicked  boy,  and 
much  stronger  than  you;  so  that  your  ability  to 
obtain  this  revenge  may  be  doubtful.” 

11.  “I  must  own,”  replied  Philip,  “that  your  ad- 
vice seems  very  good.  So  come  along  with  me,  and  I 
will  tell  my  father  the  whole  matter,  and  I think  he 
will  not  be  angry  with  me.”  They  went,  and  Philip 
told  his  father  what  had  happened.  He  ^hanked 
Stephen  for  the  good  advice  he  had  given  his  son, 


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and  promised  Philip  to  give  him  another  cane  exactly 
like  the  first. 

12.  A few  days  afterward,  Philip  saw  this  ill- 
natured  boy  fall  as  he  was  carrying  home  a heavy  log 
of  wood,  which  he  could  not  lift  up  again.  Philip 
ran  to  him,  and  helped  him  to  replace  it  on  his 
shoulder.  Young  Robinson  was  quite  ashamed  at  the 
thought  of  this  unmerited  kindness,  and  heartily  re- 
pented of  his  behavior.  Philip  went  home  quite  satis- 
fied. “This,”  said  he,  “is  the  noblest  vengeance  I 
could  take,  in  returning  good  for  evil.  It  is  impossi- 
ble I should  repent  of  it.” 

Definitions. — 1.  Re-venge7,  return  for  an  injury.  Re-p&nt7, 
to  feel  sorry  for.  Coui^te-nai^e,  the  face.  2.  Re-§umed7,  took 
again.  3.  In-du§ed/,  caused.  4.  As-sured7,  declared  'positively.  Re- 
garding, noticing.  5.  Con-sid7ered,  thought  of  carefully.  7.  Con- 
tempt7, disdain , scorn.  In-fliet7,  to  impose , to  put  on.  8.  Hov7- 
er-ing,  hanging  over  or  about.  9.  Ag7o-ny,  very  great  pain.  10. 
A-bil7i-ty,  power. 

Exercises. — What  is  revenge?  Is  it  right  to  take  revenge 
on  those  who  injure  us?  How  should  we  treat  such  persons? 


XXXIV.  EVENING  HYMN. 

1.  Come  to  the  sunset  tree, 

The  day  is  past  and  gone; 

The  woodman’s  ax  lies  free, 

And  the  reaper’s  work  is  done; 
The  twilight  star  to  heaven, 

And  the  summer  dew  to  flowers, 
And  rest  to  -us  is  given, 

By  the  soft  evening  hours. 


(4.-7.) 


X 


98  ECLECTIC  SERIES. 

2.  Sweet  is  the  hour  of  rest, 

Pleasant  the  woods4 5  low  sigh, 

And  the  gleaming  of  the  west, 

And  the  turf  whereon  we  lie, 
When  the  burden  and  the  heat 
Of  the  laborer’s  task  is  o’er, 

And  kindly  voices  greet 
The  tired  one  at  the  door. 

3.  Yes,  tuneful  is  the  sound 

That  dwells  in  whispering  boughs: 
Welcome  the  freshness  round, 

And  the  gale  that  fans  our  brows; 
But  rest  more  sweet  and  still 
Than  ever  the  night-fall  gave, 

Our  yearning  hearts  shall  fill, 

In  the  world  beyond  the  grave. 

4.  There,  shall  no  tempests  blow, 

Nor  scorching  noontide  heat; 

There,  shall  be  no  more  snow, 

No  weary,  wandering  feet; 

So  we  lift  our  trusting  eyes 

From  the  hills  our  fathers  trod, 

To  the  quiet  of  the  skies, 

To  the  Sabbath  of  our  God. 


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99 


XXXV.  HOW  MARGERY  WONDERED. 

By  Lucy  Larcom. 
t 

1.  One  bright  morning  late  in  March,  little  Mar- 
gery put  on  her  hood  and  her  Highland  plaid  shawl, 
and  went  trudging  across  the  beach.  It  was  the  first 
time  she  had  been  trusted  out  alone,  for  Margery  was 
a little  girl;  nothing  about  her  was  large,  except  her 
round  gray  eyes,  which  had  yet  scarcely  opened  upon 
half  a dozen  springs  and  summers. 

2.  There  was  a pale  mist  on  the  far-off  sea  and  sky, 
and  up  around  the  sun  were  white  clouds  edged  with 
the  hues  of  pinks  and  violets.  The  sunshine  and  the 
mild  air  made  Margery’s  very  heart  feel  warm,  and 
she  let  the  soft  wind  blow  aside  her  Highland  shawl, 
as  she  looked  across  the  waters  at  the  sun,  and  won- 
dered! For,  somehow,  the  sun  had  never  looked  be- 
fore as  it  did  to-day;— it  seemed  like  a great  golden 
flower  bursting  out  of  its  pearl-lined  calyx, — a flower 
without  a stem.  Or  was  there  a strong  stem  away  be- 
hind it  in  the  sky,  that  reached  down  below  the  sea, 
to  a root,  nobody  could  guess  where? 

3.  Margery  did  not  stop  to  puzzle  herself  about  the 
answer  to  her  question,  for  now  the  tide  was  coming 
in,  and  the  waves,  little  at  first,  but  growing  larger 
every  moment,  were  crowding  up  along  the  sand  and 
pebbles,  laughing,  winking,  and  whispering,  as  they 
tumbled  over  each  other,  like  thousands  of  children 
hurrying  home  from  somewhere,  each  with  its  own 
precious  little  secret  to  tell. 

4.  Where  did  the  waves  come  from  ? Who  was 
down  there  under  the  blue  wall  of  the  horizon,  with 
the  hoarse,  hollow  voice,  urging  and  pushing  them 


100 


ECLECTIC  SERIES 


across  the  beach  at  her  feet?  And  what  secret  was  it 
they  were  lisping  to  each  other  with  their  pleasant 
voices?  Oh,  what  was  there  beneath  the  sea,  and  be- 
yond the  sea,  so  deep,  so  broad,  and  so  dim,  too,  away 
off  where  the  white  ships,  that  looked  smaller  than 
sea-birds,  were  gliding  out  and  in? 

5.  But  while  Margery  stood  still  for  a moment  on  a 
dry  rock,  and  wondered,  there  came  a low,  rippling 
warble  to  her  ear  from  a cedar  tree  on  the  cliff  above 
her.  It  had  been  a long  winter,  and  Margery  had 
forgotten  that  there  were  birds,  and  that  birds  could 
sing.  So  she  wondered  again  what  the  music  was. 

6.  And  when  she  saw  the  bird  perched  on  a yellow- 
brown  bough,  she  wondered  yet  more.  It  was  only  a 
bluebird,  but  then  it  was  the  first  bluebird  Margery 
had  ever  seen.  He  fluttered  among  the  prickly  twigs, 


FOURTH  READER. 


101 


and  looked  as  if  lie  had  grown  out  of  them,  as  the 
cedar  berries  had,  which  were  dusty  blue,  the  color  of 
his  coat.  But  how  did  the  music  get  in  his  throat? 
And  after  it  was  in  his  throat,  how  could  it  untangle 
itself,  and  wind  itself  off  so  evenly?  And  where  had 
the  bluebird  flown  from,  across  the  snow  banks  down 
to  the  shore  of  the  blue  sea? 

7.  The  waves  sang  a welcome  to  him,  and  he  sang 
a welcome  to  the  waves;  they  seemed  to  know  each 
other  well;  and  the  ripple  and  the  warble  sounded  so 
much  alike,  the  bird  and  the  wave  must  have  both 
learned  their  music  of  the  same  teacher.  And  Mar- 
gery kept  on  wondering  as  she  stepped  between  the 
song  of  the  bluebird  and  the  echo  of  the  sea,  and 
climbed  a sloping  bank,  just  turning  faintly  green  in 
the  spring  sunshine. 

8.  The  grass  was  surely  beginning  to  grow!  There 
were  fresh,  juicy  shoots  running  up  among  the  with- 
ered blades  of  last  year,  as  if  in  hopes  of  bringing 
them  back  to  life;  and  closer  down  she  saw  the  sharp 
points  of  new  spears  peeping  from  their  sheaths.  And 
scattered  here  and  there  were  small,  dark  green  leaves 
folded  around  buds  shut  up  so  tightly  that  only  those 
who  had  watched  them  many  seasons  could  tell  what 
flowers  were  to  be  let  out  of  their  safe  prisons  by  and 
by.  So  no  one  could  blame  Margery  for  not  knowing 
that  they  were  only  common  things,  nor  for  stooping 
over  the  tiny  buds,  and  wondering. 

9.  What  made  the  grass  come  up  so  green  out  of  the 
black  earth?  And  how  did  the  buds  know  when  it 
was  time  to  take  off  their  little  green  hoods,  and  see 
what  there  was  in  the  world  around  them?  And  how 
came  they  to  be  buds  at  all?  Did  they  bloom  in 
another  world  before  they  sprung  up  here? — and  did 


102 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


they  know,  themselves,  what  kind  of  flowers  they 
should  blossom  into  ? Had  flowers  souls,  like  little 
girls,  that  would  live  in  another  world  when  their 
forms  had  faded  away  in  this? 

10.  Margery  thought  she  would  like  to  sit  down  on 
the  bank,  and  wait  beside  the  buds  until  they  opened; 
perhaps  they  would  tell  her  their  secret  if  the  very 
first  thing  they  saw  was  her  eyes  watching  them.  One 
bud  was  beginning  to  unfold;  it  was  streaked  with 
yellow  in  little  stripes  that  she  could  imagine  became 
wider  every  minute.  But  she  would  not  touch  it,  for 
it  seemed  almost  as  much  alive  as  herself.  She  only 
wondered,  and  wondered! 

11.  Margery  heard  her  mother  calling  her,  and  she 
trudged  home  across  the  shells  and  pebbles  with  a 
pleasant  smile  dimpling  her  cheeks;  for  she  felt  very 
much  at  home  in  this  large,  wonderful  world,  and  was 
happy  to  be  alive,  although  she  neither  could  have  told, 
nor  cared  to  know,  the  reason  why.  But  when  her 
mother  unpinned  the  little  girl’s  Highland  shawl,  and 
took  off  her  hood,  she  said,  “O  mother,  do  let  me 
live  on  the  door-step!  I don’t  like  houses  to  stay  in. 
What  makes  every  thing  so  pretty  and  so  glad  ? 
Don’t  you  like  to  wonder?” 

12.  Margery’s  mother  was  a good  woman.  But 
then  there  was  all  the  housework  to  do,  and,  if  she 
had  thoughts,  she  did  not  often  let  them  wander 
outside  of  the  kitchen  door.  And  just  now  she  was 
baking  some  gingerbread,  which  was  in  danger  of  get- 
ting burned  in  the  oven.  So  she  pinned  the  shawl 
around  the  child’s  neck  again,  and  left  her  on  the 
door-step,  saying  to  herself,  as  she  returned  to  her 
work,  “ Queer  child!  I wonder  what  kind  of  a woman 
she  will  be ! ” 


FOURTH  READER. 


103 


13.  But  Margery  sat  on  the  door-step,  and  won- 
dered, as  the  sea  sounded  louder,  and  the  sunshine 
grew  warmer  around  her.  It  was  all  so  strange,  and 
grand,  and  beautiful ! Her  heart  danced  with  joy  to 
the  music  that  went  echoing  through  the  wide  world 
from  the  roots  of  the  sprouting  grass  to  the  great 
golden  blossom  of  the  sun. 

14.  And  when  the  round,  gray  eyes  closed  that 
night,  at  the  first  peep  of  the  stars,  the  angels  looked 
down  and  wondered  over  Margery.  For  the  wisdom 
of  the  wisest  being  God  has  made,  ends  in  wonder; 
and  there  is  nothing  on  earth  so  wonderful  as  the 
budding  soul  of  a little  child. 

Definitions. — 1.  Trtidg'ing,  walking  sturdily.  2.  Htieg,  colors. 
Ca/lyx,  the  outer  covering  of  a flower.  4.  Ho-iFzon,  the  line  ivhere 
the  sky  and  earth  seem  to  meet.  5.  War'ble,  a trill  of  the  voice. 
8.  Spearg,  shoots  of  grass.  Slieathg,  coverings. 

Exercises. — Name  the  things  about  which  Margery  won- 
dered. What  did  she  wonder  about  each?  What  is  still  more 
wonderful  than  all  that  at  which  Margery  wondered? 


XXXVI.  THE  CHILD’S  WORLD. 

1.  “ Great,  wide,  beautiful,  wonderful  world, 

With  the  wonderful  water  round  you  curled, 
And  the  wonderful  grass  upon  your  breast, — 

World,  you  are  beautifully  drest. 

* 

2.  “The  wonderful  air  is  over  me, 

And  the  wonderful  wind  is  shaking  the  tree; 
It  walks  on  the  water,  and  whirls  the  mills, 
And  talks  to  itself  on  the  tops  of  the  hills. 


104 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


3.  “ You  friendly  Earth ! how  far  do  you  go 

With  the  wheat-fields  that  nod,  and  the 
rivers  that  flow; 

With  cities  and  gardens,  and  cliffs  and  isles, 
And  people  upon  you  for  thousands  of  miles? 

4.  “Ah,  you  are  so  great,  and  I am  so  small, 

I tremble  to  think  of  you,  World,  at  all: 
And  yet,  when  I said  my  prayers,  to-day, 

A whisper  inside  me  seemed  to  say, 

-You  are  more  %than  the  Earth,  though 
you  are  such  a dot: 

You  can  love  and  think,  and  the  Earth 
cannot ! ; ” 


XXXVII.  SUSIE’S  COMPOSITION. 

1.  Susie  Smith  came  home  from  school  one  day, 
and  had  no  sooner  entered  the  sitting-room  than  she 
burst  into  tears.  “What  is  the  matter,  my  dear 
child  ?”  said  her  mother,  drawing  her  daughter  to  her 
side  and  smiling. 

2.  “O  mother,  matter  enough,”  sobbed  Susie.  “All 
our  class  must  bring  in  compositions  to-morrow  morn- 
ing, and  I never,  never  can  write  one.  We  must 
write  twelve  lines  at  least,  and  I have  written  only  a 
few  words  after  trying  nearly  all  the  afternoon.  See 
what  work  I have  made  of  it!” 

3.  Mrs.  Smith  took  the  rumpled,  tear-stained  paper 
which  Susie  held  in  her  hand,  and  glanced  at  what 
she  had  written.  In  a careful  hand  she  had  tried  to 


FOURTH  READER. 


105 


write  upon  three  themes:  “Time,”  “ Temperance/* 
and  “ Industry.” 

4.  “Time  is  short.  We  should  all  improve  our 
time.”  “Temperance  is  a very  useful  thing.”  “We 
should  all  be  industrious  if  we  wish  to  do  any  thing 
in  the  world.”  These  sentences  were  all  she  had 
written. 

5.  “Now,”  said  Susie,  “I  can’t  think  of  another 
word  to  say  upon  any  of  these  subjects,  and  I know  I 
shall  have  to  go  to  school  without  a composition,  for 
I won’t  be  so  mean  as  to  copy  one  from  a book,  or 
to  ask  you  or  papa  to  write  one  for  me.” 

6.  “That  is  right,  my  dear,”  said  her  mother.  “You 
will  be  far  happier  with  a poor  composition,  if  it  is 
all  your  own,  than  with  a fine  one  written  by  some- 
body else.  But  cheer  up.  You  have  not  begun 
right — you  have  been  trying  to  write  upon  subjects 
that  you  know  nothing  about.  Run  into  the  garden 
and  play.  I will  call  you  in  half  an  hour.” 

7.  “But  my  composition,”  began  Susie.  “Don’t 
think  about  your  composition  while  you  are  gone,” 
said  Mrs.  Smith,  “but  have  as  pleasant  a time  as  you 
can.” 

8.  It  seemed  but  a few  minutes  to  Susie  before  she 
heard  her  mother’s  voice  calling  her.  She  went  into 
the  house  at  once — her  hands  full  of  sweet  flowers,  and 
her  cheeks  rosy  with  exercise. 

9.  “Now,  Susie,”  said  her  mother,  “I  want  you  to 
sit  by  the  window  with  this  nice  sheet  of  paper  and  a 
pencil,  and  write  something  about  what  you  can  see.” 
“But  my  composition,  mother,”  said  Susie;  “when 
shall  I begin  that?”  “Never  mind  your  composition, 
my  dear;  do  this  to  please  me,  and  we  will  talk  about 
that  by  and  by.” 


106 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


10.  Susie  thought  her  mother’s  request  was  a strange 
one;  but  she  knew  that  she  always  had  a good  reason 
for  everything  she  did:  so  she  took  the  paper  and 
pencil,  and  sat  by  the  window. 

11.  “Do  not  talk  to  me  at  all/’  said  her  mother. 
“Look  out  of  the  window,  and  then  write  down  your 
thoughts  about  everything  you  see.” 

12.  Susie  could  not  help  laughing,  it  seemed  such  a 
funny  thing  to  be  doing.  As  she  looked  out,  she  first 
saw  the  western  sky  and  some  bright,  sunset  clouds. 
“O  mother!”  she  exclaimed,  “what  a splendid  sun- 
set!” “Don’t  talk,”  said  her  mother,  “but  write.” 

13.  “I’ll  write  about  the  sunset,  then,”  said  she, 
and  the  pencil  began  to  move  rapidly  across  the 
paper.  In  a few  moments  she  said,  “Mother,  shall  I 
read  you  what  I have  written?”  “No,  not  now,” 
answered  her  mother;  “I  am  going  into  the  dining- 
room. You  may  sit  and  write  until  I return.” 

14.  As  Susie  went  on  writing  she  became  very  much 
interested  in  her  occupation,  and  for  a time  forgot  all 
about  the  dreaded  composition.  She  wrote  about  the 
sunset  clouds,  the  appearance  of  the  distant  hills,  the 
trees,  the  river,  the  garden  with  its  gay  flowers,  and 
the  birds  flying  past  the  window. 

15.  Just  as  she  had  reached  the  bottom  of  the  page, 
her  mother  came  in.  “Well,  Susie,”  said  she,  with  a 
smile,  “how  does  that  composition  come  on?”  “Com- 
position ! ” exclaimed  Susie ; “ you  told  me  not  to 
think  about  my  composition,  and  I have  not  thought 
of  it  once;  I have  had  such  a nice  time  writing  about 
what  I could  see  from  the  window.” 

16.  Mrs.  Smith  took  the  paper  and  read  aloud  what 
Susie  had  written : “ I am  sitting  on  a low  seat  at  the 
bay  window,  one  half  of  which  is  open,  so  that  I can 


FOURTH  READER. 


107 


smell  the  sweet  flowers  in  the  garden.  The  sky  is  all 
bright  with  sunset;  I can  see  purple,  and  pink,  and 
golden.  I do  not  believe  that  any  one  on  earth  has  a 
paint-box  with  such  lovely  colors  in  it. 

17.  “I  can  see  one  cloud,  far  above  the  rest,  that 
looks  like  a ship  sailing  in  the  blue  sea.  I should 
like  to  sail  on  a cloud,  if  it  would  not  make  me 


18.  ^The  green  hills  are  tipped  with  light,  and 
look  as  if  they  were  wearing  golden  crowns.  I can 
see  a river  a great  way  off,  and  it  looks  quite  still, 
although  I know  it  is  running  as  fast  as  it  can  to  get 
to  the  ocean. 


108 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


19.  “The  birds  are  flying  past  the  window  to  go 
home  and  take  care  of  their  little  ones.  I am  glad 
the  birds  are  not  afraid  to  live  in  our  garden,  and  to 
build  nests  in  our  trees. 

20.  “ Our  garden  is  full  of  flowers — pinks,  lilies, 
and  roses.  Mother  calls  this  the  month  of  roses.  My 
birthday  will  come  in  a week,  and  we  can  have  all 
the  flowers  we  wish  for  wreaths  and  bouquets.” 

21.  “There,  Susie,”  said  Mrs.  Smith,  “that  is  a 
very  nice  composition,  indeed.”  “A  composition!” 
exclaimed  Susie,  “is  that  a composition?”  “Yes,  my 
dear,  and  a very  good  one,  too,”  replied  her  mother. 
“When  it  hasn’t' even  a subject?” 

22.  “We  can  find  one  for  it,  and  I do  not  doubt  it 
will  please  your  teacher,  as  it  does  me.  You  see,  my 
dear,”  continued  her  mother,  “that  it  is  easy  enough 
to  write  if  you  have  any  thing  interesting  to  write 
about.” 

23.  The  next  morning  Susie  copied  her  composition 
very  neatly,  and  started  to  school  with  a happy  heart, 
saying,  as  she  gave  her  mother  a kiss,  “Just  think 
how  funny  it  is,  dear  mother,  that  I should  have 
written  so  long  a composition  without  knowing  it.” 

Definitions. — Com-po-§i7tion,  that  which  is  thought  out  and 
arranged , a written  or  literary  work.  3.  Rum7pled,  wrinkled , 
creased.  Theme§,  subjects  or  topics  on  which  a person  writes. 
10.  Re-quest7,  that  which  is  asked.  14.  Oc-cu-pa7tion,  that  which 
employs  the  time.  20.  Bou-quets7  {pro.  boo-kas7),  bunches  of 
flowers. 

Exercises. — What  is  a composition?  Why  was  Susie  so 
troubled?  Why  could  she  not  write  about  “Time,”  “ Temper- 
ance/’ or  “ Industry ”?  What  did  her  mother  have  her  do? 
What  did  Susie  write?  Was  it  a composition?  Did  she  know, 
at  the  time,  that  it  was?  What  fault  did  she  find  with  it? 
Can  you  give  her  composition  a proper  subject? 


FOURTH  READER. 


109 


XXXVIII.  THE  SUMMER  SHOWER. 

The  author,  Thomas  Buchanan  Bead,  was  born  in  Chester  Co.,  Pa., 
March  12,  1822.  His  life  was  devoted  to  the  fine  arts,  and  he  attained 
a high  reputation  both  as  artist  and  poet.  He  died  in  New  York, 
May  11,  1872. 

1.  Befoke  the  stout  harvesters  falleth  the  grain, 

As  when  the  strong  storm- wind  is  reaping  the  plain, 
And  loiters  the  boy  in  the  briery  lane ; 

But  yonder  aslant  comes  the  silvery  rain, 

Like  a long  line  of  spears  brightly  burnished  and  tall. 

2.  Adown  the  white  highway  like  cavalry  fleet, 

It  dashes  the  dust  with  its  numberless  feet. 

Like  a murmurless  school,  in  their  leafy  retreat, 
The  wild  birds  sit  listening  the  drops  round 

them  beat; 

And  the  boy  crouches  close  to  the  blackberry  wall. 

3.  The  swallows  alone  take  the  storm  on  the  wing, 
And,  taunting  the  tree-sheltered  laborers,  sing. 

Like  pebbles  the  rain  breaks  the  face  of  the  spring, 
While  a bubble  darts  up  from  each  widening  ring; 

And  the  boy  in  dismay  hears  the  loud  shower  fall. 

4.  But  soon  are  the  harvesters  tossing  their  sheaves; 
The  robin  darts  out  from  his  bower  of  leaves; 

The  wren  peereth  forth  from  the  moss-covered 

eaves ; 

And  the  rain-spattered  urchin  now  gladly  perceives 
That  the  beautiful  bow  bendeth  over  them  all. 

Definitions. — 1.  A-slant7,  toward  one  side.  2.  Highway,  a 
public  road.  Re-treat7,  a place  of  refuge  or  safety.  Crouch'eg, 
stoops  low.  3.  Taunting,  deriding , mocking.  4.  Ur 'chin,  a child. 


110 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


XXXIX.  CONSEQUENCES  OP  IDLENESS. 

1.  Many  young  persons  seem  to  think  it  of  not 
much  consequence  if  they  do  not  improve  their  time 
well  in  youth,  vainly  expecting  that  they  can  make  it 
up  by  diligence  when  they  are  older.  They  also 
think  it  is  disgraceful  for  men  and  women  to  be  idle, 
but  that  there  can  be  no  harm  for  persons  who  are 
young  to  spend  their  time  in  any  manner  they 
please. 

2.  George  Jones  thought  so.  When  he  was  twelve 
years  old,  he  went  to  an  academy  to  prepare  to  enter 
college.  His  father  was  at  great  expense  in  obtaining 
books  for  him,  clothing  him,  and  paying  his  tuition. 
But  George  was  idle.  The  preceptor  of  the  academy 
would  often  tell  him  that  if  he  did  not  study  dili- 
gently when  young  he  would  never  succeed  well. 

3.  But  George  thought  of  nothing  but  present 
pleasure.  He  would  often  go  to  school  without  hav- 
ing made  any  preparation  for  his  morning  lesson ; and, 
when  called  to  recite  with  his  class,  he  would  stammer 
and  make  such  blunders  that  the  rest  of  the  class 
could  not  help  laughing  at  him.  He  was  one  of  the 
poorest  scholars  in  the  school,  because  he  was  one  of 
the  most  idle. 

4.  When  recess  came,  and  all  the  boys  ran  out  of 
the  academy  upon  the  play-ground,  idle  George  would 
come  moping  along.  Instead  of  studying  diligently 
while  in  school,  he  was  indolent  and  half  asleep. 
When  the  proper  time  for  play  came,  he  had  no 
relish  for  it.  I recollect  very  well,  that,  when  “ toss- 
ing up”  for  a game  of  ball,  we  used  to  choose  every 
body  on  the  play-ground  before  we  chose  George ; 


FOURTH  READER. 


Ill 


and  if  there  were  enough  without  him  we  used  to 
leave  him  out.  Thus  he  was  unhappy  in  school  and 
out  of  school. 

5.  There  is  nothing  which  makes  a person  enjoy 
play  so  well  as  to  study  hard.  When  recess  was  over, 
-and  the  rest  of  the  boys  returned,  fresh  and  vigorous, 
to  their  studies,  George  might  be  seen  lagging  and 
moping  along  to  his  seat.  Sometimes  he  would  be 
asleep  in  school;  sometimes  he  would  pass  his  time  in 
catching  flies,  and  penning  them  up  in  little  holes, 
which  he  cut  in  his  seat;  and  sometimes,  when  the 
preceptor’s  back  was  turned,  he  would  throw  a paper 
ball  across  the  room. 

6.  When  the  class  was  called  up  to  recite,  George 
would  come  drowsily  along,  looking  as  mean  and 
ashamed  as  though  he  were  going  to  be  whipped. 
The  rest  of  the  class  stepped  up  to  the  recitation  with 
alacrity,  and  appeared  happy  and  contented.  When  it 
came  George’s  turn  to  recite,  he  would  be  so  long  in 
doing  it,  and  make  such  blunders,  that  all  most 
heartily  wished  him  out  of  the  class. 

7.  At  last,  George  went  with  his  class  to  enter  col- 
lege. Though  he  passed  a very  poor  examination,  he 
was  admitted  with  the  rest;  for  those  who  examined 
him  thought  it  was  possible  that  the  reason  why  he 
did  not  answer  questions  better  was  because  he  was 
frightened.  Now  came  hard  times  for  poor  George. 
In  college  there  is  not  much  mercy  shown  to  bad 
scholars;  and  George  had  neglected  his  studies  so 
long  that  he  could  not  now  keep  up  with  his  class, 
let  him  try  ever  so  hard. 

8.  He  could,  without  much  difficulty,  get  along  in 
the  academy,  where  there  were  only  two  or  three  boys 
of  his  own  class  to  laugh  at  him.  But  now  he  had 


112 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


to  go  into  a large  recitation  room,  filled  with  students 
from  all  parts  of  the  country.  In  the  presence  of  all 
these,  he  must  rise  and  recite  to  a professor.  Poor 
fellow!  He  paid  dearly  for  his  idleness. 

9.  You  would  have  pitied  him  if  you  could  have 
seen  him  trembling  in  his  seat,  every  moment  expect- 
ing to  be  called  upon  to  recite.  And  when  he  was 
called  upon,  he  would  stand  up  and  take  what  the 
class  called  a “dead  set;”  that  is,  he  could  not  recite 
at  all.  Sometimes  he  would  make  such  ludicrous 
blunders  that  the  whole  class  would  burst  into  a 
laugh.  Such  are  the  applauses  an  idler  gets.  He  was 
wretched,  of  course.  He  had  been  idle  so  long  that 
he  hardly  knew  how  to  apply  his  mind  to  study.  All 
the  good  scholars  avoided  him;  they  were  ashamed  to 
be  seen  in  his  company.  He  became  discouraged,  and 
gradually  grew  dissipated. 

10.  The  officers  of  the  college  were  soon  compelled 
to  suspend  him.  He  returned  in  a few  months,  but 
did  no  better;  and  his  father  was  then  advised  to 
take  him  from  college.  He  left  college,  despised  by 
every  one.  A few  months  ago,  I met  him,  a poor 
wanderer,  without  money  and  without  friends.  Such 
are  the  wages  of  idleness.  I hope  every  reader  will, 
from  this  history,  take  warning,  and  “stamp  improve- 
ment on  the  wings  of  time.” 

Definitions.  — 1.  C6n/se-quen§e,  importance , influence . 2. 

A-ead'e-my,  a school  of  high  order.  Cdblege,  a seminary  of  learn- 
ing of  the  highest  order.  Pre-^ep'tor,  a teacher.  3.  Pr&p-a-ra/- 
tion,  a making  ready.  5.  Vigk)r-ous,  full  of  activity  and  strength. 
6.  A-lac'ri-ty,  cheerfulness , sprightliness.  8.  Pro-fess'or,  a teacher 
in  a college.  9.  Libdi-crous,  adapted  to  raise  laughter.  Ap- 
plauses, praises.  Dis'-si-pat-ed,  given  up  to  vicious  habits.  10. 
Im-prove/ment,  increase  of  knowledge. 


FOURTH  READER^ 


113 


XL.  ADVANTAGES  OF  INDUSTRY. 

1.  I GAVE  you,  in  the  last  lesson,  the  history  of 
George  Jones,  an  idle  boy,  and  showed  you  the  con- 
sequences of  his  idleness.  I shall  now  give  you  the 
history  of  Charles  Bullard,  a classmate  of  George. 
Charles  was  about  the  same  age  as  George,  and  did  not 
possess  superior  talents.  Indeed,  I doubt  whether  he 
was  equal  to  him  in  natural  powers  of  mind. 

2.  But  Charles  was  a hard  student.  When  quite 
young,  he  wras  always  careful  and  diligent  in  school. 
Sometimes,  when  there  was  a very  hard  lesson,  instead 
of  going  out  to  play  during  recess,  he  would  stay  in  to 
study.  He  had  resolved  that  his  first  object  should 
be  to  get  his  lessons  well,  and  then  he  could  play 
with  a good  conscience.  He  loved  play  as  well  as  any 
body,  and  was  one  of  the  best  players  on  the  ground. 
I hardly  ever  saw  any  boy  catch  a ball  better  than 
he  could.  When  playing  any  game,  every  one  was 
glad  to  get  Charles  on  his  side. 

3.  I have  said  that  Charles  would  sometimes  stay  in 
at  recess.  This,  however,  was  very  seldom;  it  was 
only  when  the  lessons  were  very  hard  indeed.  Gen- 
erally, he  was  among  the  first  on  the  play-ground, 
and  he  was  also  among  the  first  to  go  into  school 
when  called.  Hard  study  gave  him  a relish  for  play, 
and  play  again  gave  him  a relish  for  hard  study;  so 
he  was  happy  both  in  school  and  out.  The  preceptor 
could  not  help  liking  him,  for  he  always  had  his 
lessons  well  committed,  and  never  gave  him  any 
trouble. 

4.  When  he  went  to  enter  college,  the  preceptor 

gave  him  a good  recommendation.  He  was  able  to 
(4.-8.) 


114 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


answer  all  the  questions  which  were  put  to  him  when 
he  was  examined.  He  had  studied  so  well  when  he 
was  in  the  academy,  and  was  so  thoroughly  prepared 
for  college,  that  he  found  it  very  easy  to  keep  up 
with  his  class,  and  had  much  time  for  reading  inter- 
esting books. 

5.  But  he  would  always  get  his  lesson  well  before 
he  did  any  thing  else,  and  would  review  it  just  before 
recitation.  When  called  upon  to  recite,  he  rose  tran- 
quil and  happy,  and  very  seldom  made  mistakes.  The 
officers  of  the  college  had  a high  opinion  of  him,  and 
he  was  respected  by  all  the  students, 

6.  There  was,  in  the  college,  a society  made  up  of 
all  the  best  scholars.  Charles  was  chosen  a member 
of  that  society.  It  was  the  custom  to  choose  some  one 
of  the  society  to  deliver  a public  address  every  year. 
This  honor  was  conferred  on  Charles;  and  he  had 
studied  so  diligently,  and  read  so  much,  that  he  deliv- 
ered an  address  which  was  very  interesting  to  all  who 
heard  it. 

7.  At  last  he  graduated,  as  it  is  called ; that  is,  he 
finished  his  collegiate  course,  and  received  his  degree. 
It  was  known  by  all  that  he  was  a good  scholar,  and 
by  all  that  he  was  respected.  His  father  and  mother, 
brothers  and  sisters,  came  on  the  commencement  day 
to  hear  him  speak. 

8.  They  all  felt  gratified,  and  loved  Charles  more 
than  ever.  Many  situations  of  usefulness  and  profit 
were  opened  to  him;  for  Charles  was  now  an  intelli- 
gent man,  and  universally  respected.  He  is  still  a 
useful  and  a happy  man.  He  has  a cheerful  home, 
and  is  esteemed  by  all  who  know  him. 

9.  Such  are  the  rewards  of  industry.  How  strange 
it  is  that  any  person  should  be  willing  to  live  in  idle- 


FOURTH  READER. 


115 


ness,  when  it  will  certainly  make  him  unhappy!  The 
idle  boy  is  almost  invariably  poor  and  miserable ; the 
industrious  boy  is  happy  and  prosperous. 

10.  But  perhaps  some  child  who  reads  this,  asks, 
“Does  God  notice  little  children  in  school?”  He  cer- 
tainly does.  And  if  you  are  not  diligent  in  the  im- 
provement of  your  time,  it  is  one  of  the  surest  evi- 
dences that  your  heart  is  not  right  with  God.  You 
are  placed  in  this  world  to  improve  your  time.  In 
youth  you  must  be  preparing  for  future  usefulness. 
And  if  you  do  not  improve  the  advantages  you  enjoy, 
you  sin  against  your  Maker. 

With  books,  or  work,  or  healthful  play, 

Let  your  first  years  be  past; 

That  you  may  give,  for  every  day, 

Some  good  account,  at  last. 


Definitions. — 1.  His7to-ry,  a description  or  a narration  of 
events.  2.  C5n/scien§e,  our  own  knowledge  of  right  and  wrong . 
Game,  play , sport.  3.  Com-mit7ted,  fixed  in  mind.  4.  Ree-om- 
men-da/tion,  what  is  said  in  praise  of  any  one.  5.  Re  view7,  to 
examine  again.  Tran7quil,  quiet , calm.  6.  Con-ferred7,  given  to 
' or  bestowed  upon  any  one.  7.  Grad7u-at-ed,  received  a degree  from 
a college.  Com-menge7ment,  the  day  when  students  receive  their 
degree.  8.  U-ni-vers7al-ly,  by  all , without  exception.  9.  In-va7ri- 
a-bly,  always , uniformly.  10.  EvT-den-yeg,  proofs.  Ad-van7  ta-ge§, 
opportunities  for  improvement. 

Exercises.— What  was  the  character  of  George  Jones?  Of 
Charles  Bullard?  How  did  George  appear  in  the  class  at 
school?  How  did  he  behave  at  recess?  How  did  Charles  dif- 
fer from  him  in  these  respects?  Relate  what  happened  when 
George  went  to  college.  What  became  of  him?  Did  Charles 
succeed  at  college?  Which  of  them  do  you  think  more  worthy 
of  imitation?  What  is  said  of  the  idle?  What  is  said  of  the 
industrious?  Who  watches  all  our  actions  wherever  we  may 
be?  For  what  are  we  placed  in  this  world?  Should  you  not 
then  be  diligent  in  your  studies? 


116 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


XLI.  THE  FOUNTAIN. 

By  James  Russell  Lowell,  one  of  the  most  noted  of  American  poets; 
also  well  known  as  an  essayist  and  lecturer.  He  was  born  at  Cam- 
bridge, Mass.,  in  1819. 


1. 

Into  the  sunshine, 

Full  of  the  light, 
Leaping  and  flashing, 
From  morn  till  night! 

2. 

Into  the  moonlight, 
Whiter  than  snow, 
Waving  so  flower-like 
When  the  winds  blow ! 

3. 

Into  the  starlight, 

Rushing  in  spray, 
Happy  at  midnight, 
Happy  by  day! 

4. 

Ever  in  motion, 

Blithesome  and  cheery, 
Still  climbing  heavenward, 
Never  aweary; 


5. 

Glad  of  all  weathers, 

Still  seeming  best, 
Upward  or  downward, 
Motion,  thy  rest; 

6. 

Full  of  a nature 
Nothing  can  tame, 
Changed  every  moment, 
Ever  the  same ; 

7. 

Ceaseless  aspiring, 
Ceaseless  content, 
Darkness  or  sunshine 
Thy  element; 

8. 

Glorious  fountain! 

Let  my  heart  be 
F resh,  changeful,  constant, 
Upward  like  thee! 


Definitions. — 4.  Blithesome,  gay.  Cheeky,  in  good  spirits. 
A-wea'ry,  weary , tired.  7.  As-piling,  ambitious.  EFe-ment,  the 
proper  habitation  or  sphere  of  any  thing , suitable  state.  8.  Cftn/- 
stant,  fixed , not  to  be  changed.  .>•  • 


FOURTH  READER. 


117 


XLII.  COFFEE. 

1.  The  coffee-tree  is  a native  of 
Eastern  Africa,  but  it  was  in  Arabia 
that  it  first  became  known  to  the 
people  of  Europe,  and  until  about 
the  year  1700  A.  D.  that  country 
afforded  the  entire  supply. 

2.  Then  the  coffee  seeds  found 
their  way  to  Java,  by  means  of 
some  traders,  and  one  of  the  first 

plants  grown  on  that  island  was  sent  as  a 
present  to  the  governor  of  the  Dutch  East 
India  Company,  who  lived  in  Holland. 

3.  It  was  planted  in  the  Botanical  Gar- 
dens at  Amsterdam,  and  in  a few  years 
seeds  taken  from  it  were  sent  to  South 
America,  where  the  cultivation  of  coffee  has 
steadily  increased,  extending  to  the  West 
Indies,  until  now  the  offspring  of  this  one 
plant  produce  more  coffee  than  is  obtained 
from  all  the  other  plants  in  the  world. 


118 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


4.  The  plant  is  an  evergreen,  and  is  from  six  to 
twelve  feet  high,  the  stem  being  from  ten  to  fifteen 
inches  in  diameter.  The  lower  branches  bend  down 
when  the  tree  begins  to  grow  old,  and  extend  them- 
selves into  a round  form  somewhat  like  an  umbrella; 
and  the  wood  is  so  pliable  that  the  ends  of  the  largest 
branches  may  be  bent  down  to  within  two  or  three 
feet  of  the  earth. 

5.  The  bark  is  whitish  and  somewhat  rough.  A 
tree  is  never  without  leaves,  which  are  at  small  dis- 
tances from  one  another,  and  on  almost  opposite  sides 
of  a bough.  Blossoms  and  green  and  ripe  fruit  may 
be  seen  on  the  same  tree  at  the  same  time.  When  the 
blossom  falls  off,  there  grows  in  its  place  a small  green 
fruit,  which  becomes  dark  red  as  it  ripens. 

6.  This  fruit  is  not  unlike  a cherry,  and  is  very 
good  to  eat.  Under  the  pulp  of  this  cherry  is  found 
the  bean  or  berry  we  call  coffee,  wrapped  in  a fine, 
thin  skin.  The  berry  is  at  first  very  soft,  and  has  a 
bad  taste;  but  as  the  cherry  ripens  the  berry  grows 
harder,  and  the  dried-up  fruit  becomes  a shell  or  pod 
of  a deep  brown  color. 

7.  The  berry  is  now  solid,  and  its  color  is  a trans- 
lucent green.  Each  shell  contains  two  seeds,  rounded 
on  one  side  and  flat  on  the  other.  The  seeds  lie  with 
the  flat  sides  together,  and,  in  one  highly  prized 
variety,  the  -two  seeds  grow  together,  forming  one: 
this  is  known  as  the  pea-berry.  When  the  fruit  is  so 
ripe  that  it  can  be  shaken  from  the  tree,  the  husks 
are  separated  from  the  berries,  and  are  used,  in 
Arabia,  by  the  natives,  while  the  berries  are  sold. 

8.  The  young  plants  are  inserted  in  holes  from 
twelve  to  eighteen  inches  deep,  and  six  or  eight  feet 
apart.  If  left  to  themselves,  they  would  grow  to  the 


FOURTH  READER. 


119 


height  of  eighteen  or  twenty  feet;  but  they  are  usually 
dwarfed  by  pruning,  so  that  the  fruit  may  be  easily 
got  at  by  the  gatherer. 

9.  Thus  dwarfed,  they  extend  their  branches  until 
they  cover  the  whole  spot  about  them.  They  begin 
to  yield  fruit  the  third  year.  By  the  sixth  or  seventh 
year  they  are  at  full  bearing,  and  continue  to  bear  for 
twenty  years  or  more. 

10.  Before  the  berry  can  be  used,  it  undergoes  a 
process  of  roasting.  The  amount  of  aromatic  oil 
brought  out  in  roasting  has  much  to  do  with  the 
market  value  of  coffee,  and  it  has  been  found  that 
the  longer  the  raw  coffee  is  kept,  the  richer  it  be- 
comes in  this  peculiar  oil,  and  so  the  more  valuable. 
But  after  the  coffee  is  roasted,  and  especially  after  it 
is  ground,  it  loses  its  aroma  rapidly. 

11.  Arabia  produces  the  celebrated  Mocha,  or 
“Mokha,”  coffee,  which  is  the  finest  in  the  world; 
but  little  or  none  of  the  best  product  is  ever  taken 
out  of  that  country.  The  Java  coffee  from  the  East 
Indies  is  next  prized,  but  the  best  quality  of  this 
kind  is  also  quite  difficult  to  obtain,  and  many,  there- 
fore, prefer  the  finest  grades  of  Rio  coffee  from  South 
America  to  such  Mocha  and  Java  as  can  be  had  in 
our  country. 

Definitions. — 1.  Af-ford'ed,  yielded,  produced.  8.  Offspring, 
descendants,  however  remote,  from  the  stock . 4.  PlEa-ble,  easily 

bent.  7.  Trans-lu^ent,  permitting  the  passage  of  light.  8.  Prun- 
ing, trimming.  10.  Ar-o-matfic,  containing  aroma,  fragrant. 

Exercises. — What  country  first  supplied  coffee?  How  did 
the  plant  come  to  be  grown  in  other  countries?  Describe  the 
plant.  What  is  said  of  the  fruit?  How  are  the  plants  culti- 
vated ? What  is  said  about  the  roasting  of  coffee  ? What  are  the 
three  principal  kinds  of  coffee  used,  and  how  are  they  valued? 


120 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


X LIII.  THE  WINTER-KING. 

1.  Oh!  what  will  become  of  thee,  poor  little  bird? 

The  muttering  storm  in  the  distance  is  heard; 

The  rough  winds  are  waking,  the  clouds  growing 

black, 

They  ’ll  soon  scatter  snow-flakes  all  over  thy  back! 
From  what  sunny  clime  hast  thou  wandered  away? 
And  what  art  thou  doing  this  cold  winter  day? 

2.  “Pm  picking  the  gum  from  the  old  peach-tree; 

The  storm  doesn't  trouble  me.  Pee,  dee,  dee!" 

3.  But  what  makes  thee  seem  so  unconscious  of  care? 
The  brown  earth  is  frozen,  the  branches  are  bare: 
And  how  canst  thou  be  so  light-hearted  and  free, 
As  if  danger  and  suffering  thou  never  should'st  see, 
When  no  place  is  near  for  thy  evening  nest, 

No  leaf  for  thy  screen,  for  thy  bosom  no  rest? 

4.  “Because  the  same  Hand  is  a shelter  for  me, 

That  took  off  the  summer  leaves.  Pee,  dee,  dee ! " 

5.  But  man  feels  a burden  of  care  and  of  grief, 

While  plucking  the  cluster  and  binding  the  sheaf: 
In  the  summer  we  faint,  in  the  winter  we're  chilled, 
With  ever  a void  that  is  yet  to  be  filled. 

We  take  from  the  ocean,  the  earth,  and  the  air, 
Yet  all  their  rich  gifts  do  not  silence  our  care. 

6.  “A  very  small  portion  sufficient  will  be, 

If  sweetened  with  gratitude.  Pee,  dee,  dee!" 


FOURTH  READER. 


121 


7.  But  soon  there’ll  be  ice  weighing  down  the  light 

bough, 

On  which  thou  art  flitting  so  playfully  now; 

And  though  there’s  a vesture  well  fitted  and  warm, 
Protecting  the  rest  of  thy  delicate  form, 

What,  then,  wilt  thou  do  with  thy  little  bare  feet, 
To  save  them  from  pain,  mid  the  frost  and  the  sleet? 

8.  “ I can  draw  them  right  up  in  my  feathers,  you  see, 
To  warm  them,  and  fly  away.  Pee,  dee,  dee!” 

9.  I thank  thee,  bright  monitor;  what  thou  hast  taught 
Will  oft  be  the  theme  of  the  happiest  thought; 

We  look  at  the  clouds;  while  the  birds  have  an  eye 
To  Him  who  reigns  over  them,  changeless  and  high. 
And  now,  little  hero,  just  tell  me  thy  name, 

That  I may  be  sure  whence  my  oracle  came. 

10.  a Because,  in  all  weather,  I’m  merry  and  free, 

They  call  me  the  Winter-king.  Pee,  dee,  dee!” 

Definitions. — 1.  Mut'ter-ing,  murmuring,  rumbling.  3.  Un- 
c6n/scious,  not  "knowing,  not  'perceiving.  5.  Cluster,  a bunch.  7. 
Flit' ting,  moving  about  in  a lively  manner.  •YesPure,  clothing , 
covering.  9.  Mftn'i-tor,  one  who  warns  of  faults.  OPa-cle,  a wise 
sentence  or  decision. 


XLIV.  THE  NETTLE. 

1.  Anna.  O papa!  I have  stung  my  hand  with 
that  nettle. 

2.  Father.  Well,  my  dear,  I am  sorry  for  it;  but 
pull  up  that  large  dock-leaf  you  see  near  it;  now 
bruise  the  juice  out  of  it  on  the  part  which  is  stung. 
Well,  is  the  pain  lessened? 


122 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


3.  A.  Oh,  very  much  indeed,  I hardly  feel  it  now. 
But  I wish  there  was  not  a nettle  in  the  world.  I am 
sure  I do  not  know  what  use  there  can  be  in  them. 

4.  F.  If  you  knew  any  thing  of  botany,  Nanny, 
you  would  not  say  so. 

5.  A.  What  is  botany,  papa? 

6.  F.  Botany,  my  dear,  is  the  knowledge  of  plants. 

7.  A.  Some  plants  are  very  beautiful.  If  the  lily 
were  growing  in  our  fields,  I should  not  complain. 
But  this  ugly  nettle!  I do  not  know  what  beauty  or 
use  there  can  be  in  that. 

8.  F.  And  yet,  Nanny,  there  is  more  beauty,  use, 
and  instruction  in  a nettle,  than  even  in  a lily. 

9.  A.  O papa,  how  can  you  make  that  out? 

10.  F.  Put  on  your  gloves,  pluck  up  that  nettle, 
and  let  us  examine  it.  First,  look  at  the  flower. 

11.  A.  The  flower,  papa?  I see  no  flower,  unless 
those  little  ragged  knobs  are  flowers,  which  have 
neither  color  nor  smell,  and  are  not  much  larger  than 
the  heads  of  pins. 

12.  F.  Here,  take  this  magnifying-glass  and  examine 
them. 

13.  A.  Oh,  I see  now;  every  little  knob  is  folded  up 
in  leaves,  like  a rose-bud.  Perhaps  there  is  a flower 
inside. 

14.  F.  Try ; take  this  pin  and  touch  the  knob. 
Well,  what  do  you  see? 

15.  A.  Oh,  how  curious! 

16.  F.  What  is  curious? 

17.  A.  The  moment  I touched  it,  it  flew  open.  A 
little  cloud  rose  out  like  enchantment,  and  four  beau- 
tiful little  stems  sprung  up  as  if  they  were  alive;  and, 
now  that  I look  again  with  the  glass,  I see  an  elegant 
little  flower  as  nice  and  perfect  as  a lily  itself. 


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123 


18.  F . Well,  now  examine  the  leaves. 

19.  A . Oh,  I see  they  are  all  covered  over  with  little 
bristles;  and  when  I examine  them  with  the  glass,  I 
see  a little  bag,  filled  with  a juice  like  water,  at  the 
bottom  of  each.  Ha!  these  are  the  things  which  stung 
me. 

20.  F.  Now  touch  the  little  bag  with  the  point  of 
the  pin. 

21.  A.  When  I press  the  bag,  the  juice  runs  up 
and  comes  out  at  the  small  point  at  the  top;  so  I sup- 
pose the  little  thorn  must  be  hollow  inside,  though  it 
is  finer  than  the  point  of  my  cambric  needle. 

22.  F Have  all  the  leaves  those  stings? 

23.  A . No,  papa;  some  of  the  young  ones  are  quite 
green  and  soft,  like  velvet,  and  I may  handle  them 
without  any  danger. 

24.  F.  Now  look  at  the  stem,  and  break  it. 

25.  A.  I can  easily  crack  it,  but  I can  not  break  it 
asunder,  for  the  bark  is  so  strong  that  it  holds  it 
together. 

26.  F.  Well,  now  you  see  there  are  more  curious 
things  in  the  nettle  than  you  expected. 

27.  A.  Yes,  indeed,  I see  that.  But  you  have  often 
told  me  that  God  makes  nothing  without  its  use;  and 
I am  sure  I can  not  see  any  use  in  all  these  things. 

28.  F.  That  we  will  now  consider.  You  saw  the 
little  flower  burst  open,  and  a cloud  rose,  you  say,  like 
enchantment.  Now  all  this  is  necessary  for  the  nature 
of  the  plant.  There  are  many  thousand  plants  in  the 
world,  and  it  has  pleased  God,  in  his  wisdom,  to  make 
them  all  different.  Now  look  at  this  other  nettle, 
which  grew  on  the  opposite  side  of  the  road;  you  see 
that  it  is  not  exactly  like  the  one  you  have  just  ex- 
amined. 


124 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


29.  A.  No,  papa;  this  has  little  flat  seeds  instead  of 
flowers. 

30.  F.  Very  right,  my  dear.  Now,  in  order  to  make 
those  seeds  grow,  it  is  necessary  that  the  little  flower 
of  this  plant  and  the  seed  of  that  should  be  together, 
as  they  are  in  most  others.  But  plants  can  not  walk, 
like  animals.  The  wisdom  of  God,  therefore,  has  pro- 
vided a remedy  for  this.  When  the  little  flower  bursts 
open  it  throws  out  a fine  powder,  which  you  saw  rise 
like  a cloud;  this  is  conveyed  by  the  air  to  the  other 
plant,  and  when  it  falls  upon  the  seed  of  that  plant  it 
gives  it  power  to  grow,  and  makes  it  a perfect  seed, 
which,  in  its  turn,  when  it  falls  to  the  ground,  will 
produce  a new  plant.  Were  it  not  for  this  fine  pow- 
der, that  seed  would  never  be  perfect  or  complete. 

31.  A.  That  is  very  curious,  indeed;  and  I see  the 
use  of  the  little  cloud  and  the  flower;  but  the  leaf 
that  stung  me,  of  what  use  can  that  be?  There,  dear 
papa,  I am  afraid  I puzzle  you  to  tell  me  that. 

32.  F.  Even  these  stings  are  made  useful  to  man. 
The  poor  people  in  some  countries  use  them  instead 
of  blisters,  when  they  are  sick.  Those  leaves  which 
do  not  sting  are  used  by  some  for  food,  and  from  the 
stalk  others  get  a stringy  bark,  which  answers  the 
purpose  of  flax.  Thus  you  see  that  even  the  despised 
nettle  is  not  made  in  vain;  and  this  lesson  may  serve 
to  teach  you  that  we  only  need  to  understand  the 
works  of  God  to  see  that  “in  goodness  and  wisdom  he 
has  made  them  all.” 

Definitions. — 12.  Magfin-fy-ing-glass,  an  instrument  used  to 
make  objects  appear  larger.  17.  En-chant'ment,  magic  art , witch- 
craft. 5.  A-sun'der,  apart , into  parts.  30.  Rem'e-dy,  that  which 
removes  an  evil.  Con-veyed',  carried.  32.  String'y,  full  of 
strings . 


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125 


XLV.  THE  TEMPEST. 

By  James  T.  Fields,  who  was  born  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  in  1817.  He 
is  a poet,  and  the  author,  also,  of  some  well  known  prose  works.  Of 
these,  his  “Yesterdays  with  Authors”  is  the  most  noted. 

1.  We  were  crowded  in  the  cabin; 

Not  a soul  would  dare  to  sleep: 

It  was  midnight  on  the  waters, 

And  a storm  was  on.  the  deep. 

2.  *Tis  a fearful  thing  in  winter 

To  be  shattered  by  the  blast, 

And  to  hear  the  rattling  trumpet 
Thunder,  “Cut  away  the  mast!” 

3.  So  we  shuddered  there  in  silence, 

For  the  stoutest  held  his  breath, 

While  the  hungry  sea  was  roaring, 

And  the  breakers  threatened  death. 

4.  And  as  thus  we  sat  in  darkness, 

Each  one  busy  in  his  prayers, 

“We  are  lost!”  the  captain  shouted, 

As  he  staggered  down  the  stairs. 

5.  But  his  little  daughter  whispered, 

As  she  took  his  icy  hand, 

“ Is  nT  God  upon  the  ocean, 

Just  the  same  as  on  the  land?” 

6.  Then  we  kissed  .the  little  maiden, 

And  we  spoke  in  better  cheer; 

And  we  anchored  safe  in  harbor 
When  the  morn  was  shining  clear. 

Definitions. — 1.  Deep,  the  ocean . 2.  Blast,  tempest.  3.  Break'- 
erg,  waves  of  the  sea  broken  by  rocks.  6.  Cheer,  state  of  mind. 


126 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


XLVI.  THE  CREATOR. 

The  poetry  at  the  close  of  this  selection  is  by  John  Keble,  a cele- 
brated English  clergyman,  born  in  1792.  He  held  for  some  years  the 
professorship  of  Poetry  at  Oxford  University. 

1.  Come,  and  I will  show  you  what  is  beautiful.  It 
is  a rose  fully  blown.  See  how  she  sits  upon  her 
mossy  stem,  the  queen  of  flowers.  Her  leaves  glow 
like  fire.  The  air  is  filled  with  her  sweet  odor.  She 
is  the  delight  of  every  eye. 

2.  But  there  is  one  fairer  than  the  rose.  He  that 
made  the  rose  is  more  beautiful  than  the  rose.  He  is 
altogether  lovely.  He  is  the  delight  of  every  heart. 

3.  I will  show  you  what  is  strong.  The  lion  is 
strong.  When  he  raiseth  himself  up  from  his  lair, 
when  he  shaketh  his  mane,  when  the  voice  of  his  roar- 
ing is  heard,  the  cattle  of  the  field  fly,  and  the  wild 
beasts  of  the  desert  hide  themselves;  for  he  is  ter- 
rible. 

4.  But  He  who  made  the  lion  is  stronger  than  the 
lion.  He  can  do  all  things.  He  gave  us  life,  and  in 
a moment  can  take  it  away,  and  no  one  can  save  us 
from  his  hand. 

5.  I will  show  you  what  is  glorious.  The  sun  is 
glorious.  When  he  shineth  in  the  clear  sky,  when  he 
sitteth  on  his  .throne  in  the  heavens,  and  looketh 
abroad  over  the  earth,  he  is  the  most  glorious  and  ex- 
cellent object  the  eye  can  behold. 

6.  But  He  who  made  the  sun  is  more  glorious  than 
the  sun.  The  eye  cannot  look  on  his  dazzling  bright- 
ness. He  seeth  all  dark  places,  by  night  as  well  as  by 
day.  The  light  of  his  countenance  is  over  all  the 
world. 


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127 


7.  This  great  Being  is  God.  He  made  all  tilings, 
but  He  is  more  excellent  than  all  that  He  has  made. 
He  is  the  Creator,  they  are  the  creatures.  They  may 
be  beautiful,  but  He  is  Beauty.  They  may  be  strong, 
but  He  is  Strength.  They  may  be  perfect,  but  He  is 
Perfection. 

8.  There  is  a book,  who  runs  may  read, 

Which  heavenly  truth  imparts, 

And  all  the  lore  its  scholars  need — 

Pure  eyes  and  loving  hearts. 

9.  The  works  of  God,  above,  below, 

Within  us,  and  around, 

Are  pages  in  that  book,  to  show 
How  God  himself  is  found. 

10.  The  glorious  sky,  embracing  all, 

Is  like  the  Father’s  love; 

Wherewith  encompassed,  great  and  small 
In  peace  and  order  move. 

11.  Thou  who  hast  given  me  eyes  to  see 

And  love  this  sight  so  fair, 

Give  me  a heart  to  find  out  Thee 
And  read  Thee  every-where. 

Definitions. — 1.  Blown,  blossomed , bloomed.  (ydor,  smell , 
scent.  3.  Lair,  bed  of  a wild  beast.  Desert,  a wilderness , a place 
where  no  one  lives.  5.  Ex'gel-lent,  surpassing  others  in  worth , su- 
perior. 6.  Dazzling,  overpowering  with  light.  7.  Per-fec'tion,  the 
state  of  being  perfect , so  that  nothing  is  wanting.  8.  I m- parts7, 
makes  known.  Lore,  learning.  10.  En-conPpassed,  surrounded. 

Exercises. — What  is  described  as  beautiful?  As  strong? 
As  glorious?  Who  is  more  beautiful  than  the  rose,  stronger 
than  the  lion,  and  more  glorious  than  the  sun  ? What  is  the 
book  which  we  may  all  read?  What  should  it  teach  us? 


128  ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


XL VII.  THE  HORSE. 

1.  Uncle  Thomas . Well,  boys,  I am  glad  to  see  you 
again.  Since  I last  saw  you  I have  made  quite  a tour, 
and  at  some  future  time  will  describe  to  you  what  I 
have  seen.  I promised  at  this  meeting,  however,  to 
tell  you  something  about  animals,  and  I propose  to 
begin  with  the  Horse.  But  I know  that  you  like 
stories  better  than  lecturing,  so  I will  proceed  at  once 
to  tell  you  some  which  I have  gathered  for  you. 

2.  Frank.  We  never  feel  tired  of  listening  to  you, 
Uncle  Thomas.  We  know  you  always  have  something 
curious  to  tell  us. 


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129 


3.  Unde  Thomas.  Well  then,  Frank,  to  begin  at 
once  with  the  Horse. 

4.  In  several  parts  of  the  world  there  are  to  be 
found  large  herds  of  wild  horses.  In  South  America 
the  immense  plains  are  inhabited  by  them,  and  it  is 
said  that  ten  thousand  are  sometimes  found  in  a single 
herd.  These  herds  are  always  preceded  by  a leader, 
who  directs  their  motions;  and  such  is  the  regularity 
with  which  they  perform  their  movements,  that  it 
seems  as  if  they  could  hardly  be  surpassed  by  the  best 
trained  cavalry. 

5.  It  is  extremely  dangerous  for  travelers  to  meet 
a herd  of  this  description.  When  they  are  unaccus- 
tomed to  the  sight  of  such  a mass  of  creatures,  they 
cannot  help  feeling  greatly  alarmed  at  their  rapid  and 
apparently  irresistible  approach.  The  trampling  of  the 
animals  sounds  like  distant  thunder;  and  such  is  the 
rapidity  and  impetuosity  of  their  advance,  that  it 
seems  to  threaten  instant  destruction. 

6.  Sometimes,  however,  they  suddenly  stop  short, 
utter  a loud  and  piercing  neigh,  and,  with  a rapid 
wheel,  take  an  opposite  course,  and  altogether  dis- 
appear. On  such  occasions  it  requires  great  care  in 
the  traveler  to  prevent  his  horses  from  breaking  loose 
and  escaping  with  the  wild  herd. 

7.  In  those  countries  where  wild  horses  are  so  plen- 
tiful, the  inhabitants  do  not  take  the  trouble  to  raise 
others,  but  whenever  they  want  one  they  mount  upon 
an  animal  accustomed  to  the  sport,  and  gallop  over 
the  plain  toward  a herd,  which  is  readily  found  at  no 
great  distance. 

8.  The  rider  gradually  approaches  some  stragglers 
from  the  main  body,  and,  having  selected  the  one  he 
wishes,  he  dexterously  throws  the  lasso  (which  is  a 

(4.-9.) 


130 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


long  rope  with  a running  noose,  and  is  firmly  fixed  to 
his  saddle)  either  over  the  wild  horse’s  head  or  in 
such  a manner  as  to  entangle  his  hind  legs;  and  by 
the  sudden  checking  of  his  own  horse,  he  throws  the 
captured  animal  over  on  its  side. 

9.  In  an  instant  he  jumps  off  his  horse,  wraps  his 
cloak  round  the  head  of  the  captive,  forces  a bit  into 
his  mouth,  and  straps  a saddle  on  his  back.  He  then 
removes  the  cloak,  and  the  animal  starts  on  his  feet. 
With  equal  quickness  the  hunter  leaps  into  his  saddle; 
and,  in  spite  of  the  kicking  of  the  captive,  keeps  his 
seat,  till,  being  wearied  out  with  his  efforts,  the  horse 
submits  to  the  guidance  of  his  new  master,  and  is  re- 
duced to  complete  obedience. 

10.  Frank . But,  Uncle  Thomas,  are  all  horses  orig- 
inally wild?  I have  heard  that  Arabia  is  famous  for 
raising  horses. 

11.  Uncle  Thomas . Arabia  has,  for  a long  time, 
been  noted  for  the  beauty  and  speed  of  its  horses.  It 
is  not  strange,  however,  that  the  Arabian  horse  should 
be  the  most  excellent,  when  we  consider  the  care  and 
kindness  with  which  it  is  treated.  One  of  the  best 
stories  which  I have  ever  heard  of  the  love  of  an 
Arabian  for  his  steed,  is  that  related  of  an  Arab, 
from  whom  an  English  officer  wished  to  purchase  his 
horse. 

12.  The  animal  was  a bright  bay  mare,  of  fine  form 
and  great  beauty;  and  the  owner,  proud  of  her  ap- 
pearance and  qualities,  paraded  her  before  the  English- 
man’s tent  until  she  attracted  his  attention.  On  being 
asked  if  he  would  sell  her,  “ What  will  you  give 
me?”  was  the  reply.  “That  depends  upon  her  age.  I 
suppose  she  is  past  five?”  “ Guess  again,”  said  he. 
“Four?”  “Look  at  her  mouth,”  said  the  Arab,  with 


FOURTH  READER. 


131 


a smile.  On  examination  she  was  found  to  be  about 
three.  This,  from  her  size  and  symmetry,  greatly  in- 
creased her  value. 

13.  The  gentleman  said,  “ I will  give  you  eighty  to- 
mans,” (nearly  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars).  “A 
little  more,  if  you  please,”  said  the  fellow,  somewhat  en- 
tertained. “ Ninety — a hundred.”  He  shook  his  head 
and  smiled.  The  officer  at  last  came  to  three  hun- 
dred tomans,  (nearly  one  thousand  dollars).  “Well,” 
said  the  Arab,  “you  need  not  tempt  me  further.  You 
are  a rich  nobleman,  and,  I am  told,  have  loads  of 
silver  and  gold.  Now,”  added  he,  “you  want  my 
mare,  but  you  shall  not  have  her  for  all  you  have 
got.”  He  put  spurs  to  his  horse,  and  was  soon  out  of 
the  reach  of  temptation. 

14.  The  horse  can  swim,  when  necessary,  as  well  as 
most  other  animals,  although  he  is  not  very  fond  of 
the  water.  Some  years  ago  a vessel  was  driven  upon 
the  rocks,  on  the  coast  of  the  Cape  of  Good  Hope, 
and  most  of  the  crew  fell  an  immediate  sacrifice  to  the 
waves.  Those  who  were  left  were  seen  from  the 
shore,  clinging  to  the  different  pieces  of  the  wreck. 
The  sea  ran  so  high  that  no  boat  could  venture  off  to 
their  assistance. 

15.  Meanwhile,  a planter  had  come  from  his  farm 
to  be  a spectator  of  the  shipwreck.  His  heart  was 
melted  at  the  sight  of  the  unhappy  seamen,  and, 
knowing  the  bold  spirit  of  his  horse  and  his  excel- 
lence as  a swimmer,  he  determined  to  make  a desperate 
effort  for  their  deliverance.  Having  blown  a little 
brandy  into  his  horse’s  nostrils,  he  pushed  into  the 
midst  of  the  breakers.  At  first  they  both  disappeared, 
but  it  was  not  long  before  they  floated  to  the  surface, 
and  swam  up  to  the  wreck ; when,  taking  two  men 


132 


ECLECTIC  SERIES , 


with  him,  each  of  whom  held  on  by  one  of  his  boots, 
he  brought  them  safe  to  shore. 

16.  This  was  repeated  no  less  than  seven  times,  and 
he  saved  fourteen  lives;  but  on  his  return  the  eighth 
time,  being  much  fatigued,  and  meeting  a tremendous 
wave,  he  lost  his  balance  and  sank  in  a moment.  His 
horse  swam  safely  to  land,  but  its  gallant  rider  sank 
to  rise  no  more. 

Definitions. — 4.  Im-mense7,  very  large . In-hat/it-ed,  occupied 
as  a home.  Cav'al-ry,  a body  of  military  troops  on  horses.  5.  Ini' 
pet-u-6s/i-ty,  fury , violence.  8.  Dex/ter-oiis-ly,  skillfully.  9.  Re- 
duced7, brought  into.  10.  O-rig'i-nal-ly,  at  first . 12.  Pa-rad'ed, 

showed  off.  SynPme-try,  a proper  proportion  of  the  several  parts. 
13.  To-man',  a Persian  coin  valued  at  about  three  dollars.  15. 
Des'per-ate,  without  care  of  safety.  De-liv'er-a^e,  release  from 
danger.  16.  Gaklant,  brave , heroic. 

Exercises. — Where  are  wild  horses  found?  How  are  they 
taken?  For  what  purpose  are  they  taken?  In  what  country 
are  the  finest  horses  raised?  Why  are  the  horses  so  excellent 
there?  Are  not  animals  always  made  better  by  kind  treat- 
ment? Why  would  not  the  Arab  sell  his  horse?  Relate  the 
anecdote  of  the  planter  and  the  shipwrecked  seamen. 


XL VIII.  EMULATION. 

1.  Frank’s  father  was  speaking  to  a friend,  one 
day,  on  the  subject  of  competition  at  school.  He  said 
that  he  could  answer  for  it  that  envy  is  not  always 
connected  with  it. 

2.  He  had  been  excelled  by  many,  but  did  not 
recollect  ever  having  felt  envious  of  his  successful 
rivals;  “nor  did  my  winning  many  a prize  from  my 


FOURTH  READER. 


133 


friend  Birch,”  said  he,  “ever  lessen  his  friendship  for 
me.” 

3.  In  support  of  the  truth  of  this,  a friend  who  was 
present  related  an  anecdote  which  had  fallen  under  his 
own  notice  in  a school  in  his  neighborhood. 

4.  At  this  school  the  sons  of  several  wealthy  farm- 
ers, and  others,  who  were  poorer,  received  instruction. 
Frank  listened  with  great  attention  wThile  the  gentle- 
man gave  the  following  account  of  the  two  rivals. 

5.  It  happened  that  the  son  of  a rich  farmer  and  the 
son  of  a poor  widow  came  in  competition  for  the  head 
of  their  class.  They  were  so  nearly  equal  that  the 
teacher  could  scarcely  decide  between  them ; some 
days  one,  and  some  days  the  other,  gained  the  head 
of  the  class.  It  was  determined  by  seeing  who  should 
be  at  the  head  of  the  class  for  the  greater  number  of 
days  in  the  week. 

6.  The  widow’s  son,  by  the  last  day’s  trial,  gained 
the  victory,  and  kept  his  place  the  following  week,  till 
the  school  was  dismissed  for  the  holidays. 

7.  When  they  met  again  the  widow’s  son  did  not 
appear,  and  the  farmer’s  son,  being  next  to  him,  might 
now  have  been  at  the  head  of  his  class.  Instead  of 
seizing  the  vacant  place,  however,  he  went  to  the 
widow’s  house  to  inquire  what  could  be  the  cause  of 
her  son’s  absence. 

8.  Poverty  was  the  cause;  the  poor  woman  found 
that  she  was  not  able,  with  her  utmost  efforts,  to  con- 
tinue to  pay  for  the  tuition  and  books  of  her  son,  and 
so  he,  poor  fellow!  had  been  compelled  to  give  up  his 
schooling,  and  to  return  to  labor  for  her  support. 

9.  The  farmer’s  son,  out  of  the  allowance  of  pocket- 
money  which  his  father  gave  him,  bought  all  the  nec- 
essary books  and  paid  for  the  tuition  of  his  rival.  He 


134 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


also  permitted  him  to  be  brought  back  again  to  the  „ 
head  of  his  class,  where  he  continued  for  some  time,  at 
the  expense  of  his  generous  rival. 

Definitions. — Em-u-la'tion,  rivalry , contest.  1.  C6m-pe-ti/- 
tion,  rivalry.  2.  Excelled2 * * * * 7,  surpassed , exceeded  in  good  qualities. 
REvalg,  those  who  pursue  the  same  thing.  3.  An/ec-dote,  a short 
story.  8.  Tu-i'tion,  payment  for  teaching. 

Exercises. — What  is  the  subject  of  this  lesson?  What  do 
you  mean  by  emulation  ? What  is  envy  ? What  story  is  told 
about  the  two  rivals?  Is  it  right  to  envy  any  person? 


XLIX.  THE  SANDPIPER. 

By  Celia  Thaxter. 

1.  Across  the  lonely  beach  we  flit, 

One  little  sandpiper  and  I, 

And  fast  I gather,  bit  by  bit, 

The  scattered  drift-wood,  bleached  and  dry. 
The  wild  waves  reach  their  hands  for  it, 

The  wild  wind  raves,  the  tide  runs  high, 
As  up  and  down  the  beach  we  flit, 

One  little  sandpiper  and  I. 

2.  Above  our  heads  the  sullen  clouds 

Scud,  black  and  swift,  across  the  sky; 

Like  silent  ghosts  in  misty  shrouds 
Stand  out  the  white  light-houses  high. 

Almost  as  far  as  eye  can  reach 
I see  the  close-reefed  vessels  fly, 

As  fast  we  flit  across  the  beach, 

One  little  sandpiper  and  I. 


FOURTH  READER. 


135 


3.  I watch  him  as  he  skims  along, 

Uttering  his  sweet  and  mournful  cry; 

He  starts  not  at  my  fitful  song, 

Nor  flash  of  fluttering  drapery. 

He  has  no  thought  of  any  wrong, 

He  scans  me  with  a fearless  eye; 

Stanch  friends  are  we,  well-tried  and  strong, 

The  little  sandpiper  and  I. 

4.  Comrade,  where  wilt  thou  be  to-night, 

When  the  loosed  storm  breaks  furiously? 

My  drift-wood  fire  will  burn  so  bright! 

To  what  warm  shelter  canst  thou  fly? 

I do  not  fear  for  thee,  though  wroth 
The  tempest  rushes  through  the  sky; 

For  are  we  not  God’s  children  both, 

Thou,  little  sandpiper,  and  I? 

Definitions. — 1.  Sand'pi-per,  a bird  of  the  snipe  family,  found 
along  the  sea-coast.  Dnft'-wood,  wood  tossed  on  shore  by  the  waves. 
Bleached,  whitened.  Tide,  the  regular  rise  and  fall  of  the  ocean 
which  occurs  twice  in  a little  over  twenty  four  hours.  2.  Scud,  fly 
hastily.  Shroudg,  winding  sheets , dresses  of  the  dead.  Close'- 
reefed,  with  sails  contracted  as  much  as  possible.  3.  Fit/ful,  ir- 
regularly variable.  Dra'per-y,  garments.  Scan§,  looks  at  care- 
fully. Stanch,  firm.  4.  Wroth,  angry. 


136 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


Li.  the  right  way. 

Adapted  from  a story  by  Frank  R.  Stockton.  He  was  born  at  Phila- 
delphia, April  5,  1834,  and  when  quite  a young  boy  used  to  write  stories 
for  his  own  pleasure.  He  was  once  a designer  and  engraver  on  wood, 
and  afterwards  an  editor;  but  he  now  devotes  himself  entirely  to  writ- 
ing, not  only  for  young  but  also  for  grown  people. 

1.  “O  Andy!”  said  little  Jenny  Murdock,  “I’m  so 
glad  you  came  along  this  way.  I can’t  get  over.” 

2.  “ Can’t  get  over?”  said  Andrew.  “Why  what’s 
the  matter?” 

3.  “The  bridge  is  gone,”  said  Jenny.  “When  I 
came  across  after  breakfast  it  was  there,  and  now  it’s 
over  on  the  other  side,  and  how  can  I get  back 
home  ? ” 

4.  “ Why,  so  it  is,”  said  Andrew.  “ It  was  all 
right  when  I came  over  a little  while  ago,  but  old 
Donald  pulls  it  on  the  other  side  every  morning  after 
he  has  driven  his  cows  across,  and  I don’t  think  he 
has  any  right  to  do  it.  I suppose  he  thinks  the  bridge 
was  made  for  him  and  his  cows.” 

5.  “Now  I must  go  down  to  the  big  bridge,  Andy, 
and  I want  you  to  go  with  me.  I’m  afraid  to  go 
through  all  those  dark  woods  by  myself,”  said 
Jenny. 

6.  “But  I can’t  go,  Jenny,”  said  Andrew^  “it’s 
nearly  school-time  now.” 

7.  Andrew , was  a Scotch  boy,  and  a fine  fellow. 
He  was. next  to  the  head  of  his  school,  and  he  was  as 
good  at  play  as  he  was  at  his  book. 

8.  Jenny  Murdock,  his  most  particular  friend,  was  a 
little  girl  who  lived  very  near  Andrew’s  home.  She 
had  no  brothers  nor  sisters,  but  Andrew  had  always 
been  as  good  as  a brother  to  her;  and,  therefore,  when 


FOURTH  READER. 


137 


she  stood  by  the  water’s  edge  that  morning,  just  ready 
to  burst  into  tears,  she  thought  all  her  troubles  over 
when  she  saw  Andrew  coming  along  the  road. 

9.  He  had  always  helped  her  out  of  her  troubles 
before,  and  she  saw  no  reason  why  he  should  not  do 
it  now.  She  had  crossed  the  creek  in  search  of  wild 
flowers,  and  when  she  wished  to  return  had  found  the 
bridge  removed,  as  Andrew  supposed,  by  old  Donald 
McKenzie,  who  pastured  his  cows  on  this  side  of  the 
creek. 

10.  This  stream  was  not  very  wide,  nor  very  deep 
at  its  edges,  but  in  the  center  it  was  four  or  five  feet 
deep;  and  in  the  spring  the  water  ran  very  swiftly, 
so  that  wading  across  it,  either  by  cattle  or  men,  was 
quite  a difficult  undertaking.  As  for  Jenny,  she  could 
not  get  across  at  all  without  a bridge,  and  there  was 
none  nearer  than  the  wagon  bridge,  a mile  and  a half 
below. 

11.  “You  will  go  with  me,  Andy,  won’t  you?” 
said  the  little  girl. 

12.  “And  be  late  to  school?”  said  he.  “I  have 
not  been  late  yet,  you  know,  Jenny.” 

13.  “Perhaps  Dominie  Black  will  think  you  have 
been  sick  or  had  to  mind  the  cows,”  said  Jenny. 

14.  “ He  won’t  think  so  unless  I tell  him,”  said 
Andrew,  “and  you  know  I won’t  do  that.” 

15.  “If  we  were  to  run  all  the  way,  would  you  be 
too  late?”  said  Jenny. 

16.  “If  we  were  to  run  all  the  way  to  the  bridge, 
and  I were  to  run  all  the  way  back,  I should  not  get 
to  school  till  after  copy  time.  I expect  every  minute 
to  hear  the  school-bell  ring,”  said  Andrew. 

17.  “But  what  can  I do,  then?”  said  poor  little 
Jenny.  “I  can’t  wait  here  till  school’s  out,  and  I 


138 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


don’t  want  to  go  up  to  the  school-house,  for  all  the 
boys  to  laugh  at  me.” 

18.  “No,”  said  Andrew,  reflecting  very  seriously, 
“I  must  take  you  home  some  way  or  other.  It  won’t 
do  to  leave  you  here,  and,  no  matter  where  you  might 
stay,  your  mother  would  be  very  much  troubled  about 
you.” 

19.  “Yes,”  said  Jenny,  “she  would  think  I was 
drowned.” 

20.  Time  pressed,  and  Jenny’s  countenance  became 
more  and  more  overcast,  but  Andrew  could  think  of 
no  way  in  which  he  could  take  the  little  girl  home 
without  being  late  and  losing  his  standing  in  the 
school. 

21.  It  was  impossible  to  get  her  across  the  stream 
at  any  place  nearer  than  the  “big  bridge;”  he  would 
not  take  her  that  way,  and  make  up  a false  story  to 
account  for  his  lateness  at  school,  and  he  could  not 
leave  her  alone  or  take  her  with  him. 

22.  What  was  to  be  done?  While  several  absurd 
and  impracticable  plans  were  passing  through  his 
brain,  the  school-bell  began  to  ring,  and  he  must  start 
immediately  to  reach  the  school-house  in  time. 

23.  And  now  his  anxiety  and  perplexity  became 
more  intense  than  ever;  and  Jenny,  looking  up  into 
his  troubled  countenance,  began  to  cry. 

24.  Andrew,  who  had  never  before  failed  to  be  at 
the  school  door  before  the  first  tap  of  the  bell,  began 
to  despair.  Was  there  nothing  to  be  done? 

25.  Yes!  a happy  thought  passed  through  his  mind. 
How  strange  that^he  should  not  have  thought  of  it 
before!  He  would  ask  Dominie  Black  to  let  him 
take  Jenny  home.  What  could  be  more  sensible  and 
straightforward  than  such  a plan? 


FOURTH  READER. 


139 


26.  Of  course  the  good  old  schoolmaster  gave  An- 
drew the  desired  permission,  and  every  thing  ended 
happily.  But  the  best  thing  about  the  whole  affair 
was  the  lesson  that  the  young  Scotch  boy  learned 
that  day. 

27.  The  lesson  was  this:  when  we  are  puzzling  our 
brains  with  plans  to  help  ourselves  out  of  trouble,  let 
us  always  stop  a moment  in  our  planning,  and  try  to 
think  if  there  is  not  some  simple  way  out  of  the  dif- 
ficulty, which  shall  be  in  every  respect  perfectly  right. 
If  we  do  this,  we  shall  probably  find  a way  more 
easy  and  satisfactory  than  any  which  we  can  devise. 

Definitions. — 8.  Par-tic'u-lar,  not  ordinary , worthy  of  'partic- 
ular attention , chief.  13.  D6m/i-nie,  the  Scotch  name  for  school- 
master. 18.  Re-flectfing,  thinking  earnestly.  20.  O-ver-east',  cov- 

ered with  gloom.  21.  Ac-count',  to  state  the  reasons.  22,  Im- 
prae'ti-ca-ble,  not  possible.  23.  An^-Ee-ty,  care , trouble  of  mind. 
27.  De-vige^  plan , contrive . 

Exercises. — Why  could  not  Jenny  cross  the  stream?  Whom 
did  she  ask  to  help  her?  What  can  you  tell  about  Andrew? 
Who  was  Jennie  Murdock?  What  did  Jenny  wish  Andrew  to 
do?  Why  could  he  not  go  with  her?  Would  it  have  been 
right  for  Andrew  to  have  told  an  untruth  even  to  help  Jenny 
out  of  trouble?  What  did  he  finally  do?  What  does  this  les- 
son teach  us  to  do  in  case  of  trouble? 


LI.  THE  GOLDEN  RULE. 

1.  To  act  with  integrity  and  good  faith  was  such  a 
habit  with  Susan  that  she  had  never  before  thought 
of  examining  the  Golden  Rule:  “All  things  whatso- 
ever ye  would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even 
so  to  them.”  But- the  longer  she  reflected  upon  it,  the 


140 


ECLECTIC  SERIES 


stronger  was  her  conviction  that  she  did  not  always 
obey  the  precept ; at  length,  she  appealed  to  her 
mother  for  its  meaning. 

2.  “ It  implies,”  said  her  mother,  “ in  the  first 
place,  a total  destruction  of  all  selfishness:  for  a man 
who  loves  himself  better  than  his  neighbors,  can  never 
do  to  others  as  he  would  have  others  do  to  him.  We 
are  bound  not  only  to  do,  but  to  feel,  toward  others  as 
we  would  have  others  feel  toward  us.  Remember,  it 
is  much  easier  to  reprove  the  sin  of  others  than  to 
overcome  temptation  when  it  assails  ourselves. 

3.  “A  man  may  be  perfectly  honest  and  yet  very 
selfish ; but  the  command  implies  something  more  than 
mere  honesty;  it  requires  charity  as  well  as  integrity. 
The  meaning  of  the  command  is  fully  explained  in 
the  parable  of  the  Good  Samaritan.  The  Levite,  who 
passed  by  the  wounded  man  without  offering  him 
assistance,  may  have  been  a man  of  great  honesty; 
but  he  did  not  do  unto  the  poor  stranger  as  he  would 
have  wished  others  to  do  unto  him.” 

4.  Susan  pondered  carefully  and  seriously  on  what 
her  mother  had  said.  When  she  thought  over  her 
past  conduct,  a blush  of  shame  crept  to  her  cheeks, 
and  a look  of  sorrow  into  her  eyes,  as  many  little  acts 
of  selfishness  and  unkindness  came  back  to  her  mem- 
ory. She  resolved  that  for  the  future,  both  in  great 
things  and  small,  she  would  remember  and  follow  the 
Golden  Rule. 

5.  It  was  not  long  after  this  that  an  opportunity 
occurred  of  trying  Susan’s  principles.  One  Saturday 
evening  when  she  went,  as  usual,  to  farmer  Thomp- 
son’s inn,  to  receive  the  price  of  her  mother’s  wash- 
ing for  the  boarders,  which  amounted  to  five  dollars, 
she  found  the  farmer  in  the  stable-yard. 


FOURTH  READER. 


141 


6.  He  was  apparently  in  a terrible  rage  with  some 
horse-dealers  with  whom  he  had  been  bargaining.  He 
held  in  his  hand  an  open  pocket-book,  full  of  bills ; 
and  scarcely  noticing  the  child  as  she  made  her  re- 
quest, except  to  swear  at  her,  as  usual,  for  troubling 
him  when  he  was  busy,  he  handed  her  a bank-note. 

7.  Glad  to  escape  so  easily,  Susan  hurried  out  of 
the  gate,  and  then,  pausing  to  pin  the  money  safely  in 
the  folds  of  her  shawl,  she  discovered  that  he  had 
given  her  two  bills  instead  of  one.  She  looked 
around;  nobody  was  near  to  share  her  discovery;  and 
her  first  impulse  was  joy  at  the  unexpected  prize. 

8.  “It  is  mine,  all  mine,”  said  she  to  herself;  “I 
will  buy  mother  a new  cloak  with  it,  and  she  can  give 
her  old  one  to  sister  Mary,  and  then  Mary  can  go 
to  the  Sunday-school  with  me  next  winter.  I wonder 
if  it  will  not  buy  a pair  of  shoes  for  brother  Tom, 
too.” 

9.  At  that  moment  she  remembered  that  he  must 
have  given  it  to  her  by  mistake;  and  therefore  she 
had  no  right  to  it.  But  again  the  voice  of  the 
tempter  whispered,  “He  gave  it,  and  how  do  you 
know  that  he  did  not  intend  to  make  you  a present  of 
it?  Keep  it;  he  will  never  know  it,  even  if  it  should 
be  a mistake;  for  he  had  too  many  such  bills  in  that 
great  pocket-book  to  miss  one.” 

10.  While  this  conflict  was  going  on  in  her  mind  be- 
tween good  and  evil,  she  was  hurrying  homeward  as 
fast  as  possible.  Yet,  before  she  came  in  sight  of  her 
home,  she  had  repeatedly  balanced  the  comforts  which 
the  money  would  buy  against  the  sin  of  wronging  her 
neighbor. 

11.  As  she  crossed  the  little  bridge  over  the  narrow 
creek  before  her  mother’s  door,  her  eye  fell  upon  a 


142 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


rustic  seat  which  they  had  occupied  during  the  con- 
versation I have  before  narrated.  Instantly  the  words 
of  Scripture,  “ Whatsoever  ye  would  that  men  should 
do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to  them,”  sounded  in  her 
ears  like  a trumpet. 

12.  Turning  suddenly  round,  as  if  flying  from  .some 
unseen  peril,  the  child  hastened  along  the  road  with 
breathless  speed  until  she  found  herself  once  more  at 
farmer  Thompson’s  gate.  “ What  do  you  want  now?” 
asked  the  grulf  old  fellow,  as  he  saw  her  again  at  his 
side. 

13.  “Sir,  you  paid  me  two  bills,  instead  of  one,” 
said  she,  trembling  in  every  limb.  “Two  bills?  did 
I?  let  me  see;  well,  so  I did;  but  did  you  just  find  it 
out?  Why  did  you  not  bring  it  back  sooner?” 
Susan  blushed  and  hung  her  head. 

14.  “You  wanted  to  keep  it,  I suppose,”  said  he. 
“Well,  I am  glad  your  mother  was  more  honest  than 
you,  or  I should  have  been  five  dollars  poorer  and 
none  the  wiser.”  “My  mother  knows  nothing  about 
it,  sir,”  said  Susan;  “I  brought  it  back  before  I went 
home.”" 

15.  The  old  man  looked  at  the  child,  and,  as  he  saw 
the  tears  rolling  down  her  cheeks,  he  seemed  touched 
by  her  distress.  Putting  his  hand  in  his  pocket,  he 
drew  out  a shilling  and  offered  it  to  her. 

16.  “No,  sir,  I thank  you,”  sobbed  she;  “I  do  not 
want  to  be  paid  for  doing  right;  I only  wish  you 
would  not  think  me  dishonest,  for,  indeed,  it  was  a 
sore  temptation.  Oh!  sir,  if  you  had  ever  seen  those 
you  love  best  wanting  the  common  comforts  of  life,  you 
would  know  how  hard  it  is  for  us  always  to  do  unto 
others  as  we  would  have  others  do  unto  us.” 

1 7.  The  heart  of  the  selfish  man  was  touched. 


FOURTH  READER. 


143 


“ There  be  things  which  are  little  upon  the  earth,  but 
they  are  exceeding  wise,”  murmured  he,  as  he  bade 
the  little  girl  good-night,  and  entered  his  house  a sad- 
der, and,  it  is  to  be  hoped,  a better  man.  Susan  re- 
turned to  her  humble  home  with  a lightened  heart, 
and  through  the  course  of  a long  and  useful  life  she 
never  forgot  her  first  temptation. 

Definitions. — 1.  In-teg'ri-ty,  honesty,  uprightness.  Con-vic'- 
tion,  strong  belief.  Ap-pealed',  referred  to.  2.  Temp-ta'tion,  that 
which  has  a tendency  to  induce  one  to  do  wrong.  As-sail§/,  attacks. 
10.  CSn'fliet,  struggle.  Bal/an§ed,  weighed,  compared.  12.  Gruff, 
rough.-  17.  Murmured,  spoke  in  a low  voice.  Lightened,  made 
cheerful  or  lighter. 

Exercises. — What  is  the  Golden  Rule?  What  does  it  im- 
ply? Can  a man  be  perfectly  honest  and  still  not  follow  the 
Golden  Rule?  What  parable  is  a perfect  illustration  of  its 
meaning  ? How  was  Susan  tempted  ? What  did  she  first 
think  of  doing?  What  changed  her  intention?  Relate  what 
happened  when  she  returned  the  money.  What  effect  did  her 
action  have? 


LII.  THE  SNOW-MAN. 

By  Marian  Douglas. 

1.  Look!  how  the  clouds  are  flying  south! 

The  winds  pipe  loud  and  shrill! 

And  high  above  the  white  drifts  stands 
The  snow- man  on  the  hill. 

2.  Blow,  wild  wind  from  the  icy  north! 

Here's  one  who  will  not  fear 
To  feel  thy  coldest  touch,  or  shrink 
Thy  loudest  blast  to  hear. 


144 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


3.  Proud  triumph  of  the  school-boy’s  skill! 

Far  rather  would  I be 
A winter  giant,  ruling  o’er 
A frosty  realm,  like  thee, 

4.  And  stand  amid  the  drifted  snow, 

Like  thee,  a thing  apart, 

Than  be  a man  who  walks  with  men, 

But  has  a frozen  heart! 

Definitions. — 1.  Pipe,  whistle.  2.  Shrink,  to  draw  bade  on 
account  of  fear:  3.  TrPumph,  success  causing  exultation.  RSalm, 

the  territory  over  which  authority  is  used , dominion. 

Exercises. — With  what  is  the  snow-man  compared  in  this 
poem?  What  is  meant  by  a man  with  (<a  frozen  heart ”?  Do 
you  think  such  a man  would  follow  the  Golden  Rule? 


LIU.  ROBINSON  CRUSOE’S  HOUSE. 

Daniel  DeFoe,  the  author  of  “Robinson  Crusoe  ” (from  which  these 
selections  are  adapted),  was  born  in  London,  England,  in  1661,  and  died 
in  1731.  He  wrote  a number  of  books;  but  his  “Robinson  Crusoe”  is 
the  only  one  that  attained  great  notoriety. 

1.  I have  already  described  my  habitation,  which 
was  a tent  under  the  side  of  a rock,  surrounded  with 
a strong  pale  of  posts  and  cables,  but  I might  now 
rather  call  it  a wall,  for  I raised  a kind  of  wall  up 
against  it  of  turf,  about  two  feet  thick  on  the  outside; 
and,  after  some  time  (I  think  it  was  a year  and  a half) 
I raised  rafters  from  it,  leaning  to  the  rock,  and 
thatched  or  covered  it  with  boughs  of  trees  and  such 
things  as  I could  get  to  keep  out  the  rain,  which  I 
found  at  some  times  ofvthe  year  very  violent. 

' ^ - 


FOURTH  READER. 


145 


2.  I have  already  observed  how  I brought  all  my 
goods  into  this  pale,  and  into  the  cave  which  I had 
made  behind  me;  but  I must  observe,  too,  that  at 
first  this  was  a confused  heap  of  goods,  which,  as  they 
lay  in  no  order,  took  up  all  my  place,  so  that  I had 
no  room  to  turn  myself.  So  I set  to  work  to  enlarge 
my  cave  and  work  farther  into  the  earth;  for  it  was  a 
loose,  sandy  rock,  which  yielded  easily  to  the  labor  I 
bestowed  upon  it. 

3.  And  so  when  I found  that  I was  pretty  safe  as 
to  beasts  of  prey,  I worked  sideways  into  the  rock; 
and  then,  turning  to  the  right  again,  worked  quite 
out,  and  made  me  a door  to  come  out  on  the  outside 
of  my  pale  or  fortification.  This  gave  me  not  only 
egress  and  regress,  as  it  was  a back  way  to  my  tent 
and  to  my  store-house,  but  gave  me  room  to  stow  my 
goods. 

4.  And  now  I began  to  apply  myself  to  make  such 
necessary  things  as  I found  I most  wanted,  particu- 
larly a chair  and  a table;  for  without  these  I was  not 
able  to  enjoy  the  few  comforts  I had  in  the  world.  I 
could  not  write  or  eat,  or  do  several  things  with  so 
much  pleasure  without  a table. 

5.  So  I went  to  work.  I had  never  handled  a tool 
in  my  life;  and  yet  in  time  by  labor,  application,  and 
contrivance,  I found  that  I wanted  nothing  but  I 
could  have  made  it,  especially  if  I had  had  tools; 
however,  I made  abundance  of  things,  even  without 
tools,  and  some  with  no  more  tools  than  an  adz  and  a 
hatchet,  which  perhaps  were  never  made  that  way  be- 
fore, and  that  with  infinite  labor. 

6.  For  example,  if  I wanted  a board,  I had  no 
other  way  but  to  cut  down  a tree,  set  it  before  me, 
and  hew  it  flat  on  either  side  with  my  ax  till  I had 

(4. — 10.) 


146 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


brought  it  to  be  as  thin  as  a plank,  and  then  dub  it 
smooth  with  my  adz. 

7.  It  is  true,  by  this  method  I could  make  but  one 
board  out  of  a whole  tree;  but  this  I had  no  remedy 
for  but  patience,  any  more  than  I had  for  the  prodig- 
ious deal  of  time  and  labor  which  it  took  me  to  make  a 
plank  or  board;  but  my  time  or  labor  was  little  worth, 
and  so  it  was  as  well  employed  one  way  as  another. 

8.  However,  I made  me  a table  and  a chair,  as  I 
observed  above;  and  this  I did  out  of  the  short  pieces 
of  boards  which  I brought  on  my  raft  from  the  ship; 
but  when  I had  wrought  out  some  boards,  as  above,  I 
made  large  shelves,  of  the  breadth  of  a foot  and  a 
half,  one  over  another,  all  along  one  side  of  my  cave, 
to  lay  all  my  tools,  nails,  and  iron-work  on,  and,  in  a 
word,  to  separate  every  thing  at  large  in  their  places, 
that  I might  come  easily  at  them. 

9.  I knocked  pieces  into  the  wall  of  the  rock  to 
hang  my  guns  and  all  things  that  would  hang  up. 
So  that,  had  my  cave  been  seen,  it  would  have  looked 
like  a general  magazine  of  all  necessary  things;  and  I 
had  every  thing  so  ready  at  my  hand  that  it  was  a 
great  pleasure  to  me  to  see  all  my  goods  in  such  order, 
and  especially  to  find  my  stock  of  all  necessaries  so 
great. 

Definitions. — 1.  Hab-i-ta'tion,  a dwelling  place . Pale,  a fence. 
Ci^bleg,  large  ropes.  Turf,  sod.  3.  For4i  fi-ca'tion,  a place  built 
for  defense  against  attack.  E'gress,  going  out.  Regress,  coming 
back , return.  Stow,  to  arrange  compactly.  4.  Ap-ply7,  to  employ 
diligently.  6.  Dub,  to  cut  down  or  bring  to  an  even  surface.  7. 
Pro-digTous,  very  great.  Deal,  part,  amount.  9.  Mag-a-zme',  a 
store-house. 

Exercises. — How  did  Robinson  Crusoe  make  a house?  Of 
what  did  he  make  a chair  and  table?  How  did  he  obtain  boards? 
What  does  this  lesson  teach  us  in  regard  to  perseverance? 


FOURTH  READER. 


147 


LIV.  ROBINSON  CRUSOE’S  DRESS. 

1.  But  had  any  man  in  England  met  such  a man 
as  I was,  it  must  either  have  frightened  him  or  raised  a 
great  deal  of  laughter;  and,  as  I frequently  stood  still  to 
look  at  myself,  I could  not  but  smile  at  the  notion  of 
my  traveling  through  Yorkshire  in  such  a dress. 


148 


ECLECTIC  SERIES \ 


2.  I had  a great,  high,  shapeless  cap,  made  of  a goat’s 
skin,  with  a flap  hanging  down  behind,  as  well  to 
keep  the  sun  from  me  as  to  shoot  the  rain  off*  from 
running  into  my  neck;  nothing  being  so  hurtful  in 
these  climates  as  the  rain  upon  the  flesh  under  the 
clothes. 

3.  I had  a short  jacket  of  goat-skin,  the  skirts  com- 
ing down  to  about  the  middle  of  the  thighs,  and  a 
pair  of  open-kneed  breeches  of  the  same;  the  breeches 
were  made  of  the  skin  of  an  old  goat,  and  the  hair 
hung  down  such  a length  on  either  side  that  it 
reached  to  the  middle  of  my  legs  like  pantaloons. 

4.  Stockings  and  shoes  I had  none;  but  I made  a 
pair  of  something,  I scarce  know  what  to  call  them, 
like  buskins,  to  flap  over  my  legs,  and  lace  on  either 
side  like  spatterdashes;  but  they  were  of  a most  bar- 
barous shape,  as  indeed  were  all  the  rest  of  my 
clothes. 

5.  I had  on  a broad  belt  of  goat-skin  dried,  which 
I drew  together  with  two  thongs  of  the  same,  instead 
of  buckles;  and,  in  a kind  of  frog  on  each  side  of 
this,  instead  of  a sword  and  dagger,  hung  a little  saw 
and  hatchet;  one  on  one  side,  and  one  on  the  other. 
I had  another  belt  not  so  broad,  and  fastened  in  the 
same  manner,  which  hung  over  my  shoulder;  and  at 
the  end  of  it,  under  my  left  arm,  hung  two  pouches, 
both  made  of  goat-skin,  too;  in  one  of  which  hung 
my  powder,  in  the  other  my  shot. 

6.  At  my  back  I carried  my  basket,  on  my  shoul- 
der my  gun,  and  over  my  head  a great,  clumsy,  ugly, 
goat-skin  umbrella,  but  which,  after  all,  was  the  most 
rfecessary  thing  I had  about  me,  next  to  my  gun. 

7.  As  for  my  face,  the  color  of  it  was  really  not  so 
dark  as  one  might  expect  from  a man  not  at  all  care- 


FOURTH  READER. 


149 


ful  of  it,  and  living  within  nine  or  ten  degrees  of  the 
equator.  My  beard  I had  once  suffered  to  grow  till 
it  was  about  a quarter  of  a yard  long;  but,  as  I had 
both  scissors  and  razors  sufficient,  I had  cut  it  pretty 
short,  except  what  grew  on  my  upper  lip,  which  I had 
trimmed  into  a large  pair  of  Mahometan  whiskers, 
such  as  I had  seen  worn  by  some  Turks. 

8.  Of  these  mustaches  or  whiskers,  I will  not  say 
that  they  were  long  enough  to  hang  my  hat  upon 
them,  but  they  were  of  a length  and  shape  monstrous 
enough,  and  such  as  in  England  would  have  passed 
for  frightful.  But  all  this  is  by  the  by;  for,  as  to  my 
figure,  I had  so  few  to  observe  me  that  it  was  of  no 
manner  of  consequence : so  I say  no  more  on  that 
part. 

Definitions. — 4.  Buskfing,  coverings  for  the  feet  coming  some 
distance  up  the  leg , and  fit  for  a defense  against  thorns , etc.  Spat7- 
ter-dash-eg,  coverings  for  the  legs  to  keep  them  clean  from  water 
and  mud.  Bar'ba-rous,  uncouth , clumsy.  5.  Thongg,  strips  of 
leather.  Frog,  a loop  similar  to  that  sometimes  used  in  fastening  a 
cloak  or  coat.  Pouches,  hags.  8.  Mftn'strous,  very  large , enormous. 

Notes. — The  novel,  “ Bobinson  Crusoe,”  was  first  published 
in  1719.  It  was  founded  on  the  adventures  of  Alexander  Sel- 
kirk, a Scotch  buccaneer,  who  was  cast  on  the  island  of  Juan 
Fernandez,  west  of  South  America,  in  1704,  and  remained 
there  for  more  than  four  years  before  he  was  rescued. 

1.  Yorkshire.  This  was  the  district  of  England  where,  accord- 
ing to  the  story,  Bobinson  Crusoe  was  born  and  passed  his  early 
life. 

8.  Open-kneed  breeches.  At  this  period  knee-breeches  were  worn 
almost  altogether  in  England.  Those  referred  to  here  appear  to 
have  been  loose  about  the  knee,  and  not  close,  as  usual. 

5.  Instead  of  sword  and  dagger.  It  was  then  the  fashion  in 
England  for  gentlemen  to  wear  such  weapons. 

8.  Such  as  in  England  would  have  passed  for  frightful.  It  was 
not  the  custom  in  England,  in  DeFoe’s  time,  to  wear  a full  beard. 


150 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


LV.  SOMEBODY’S  DARLING. 

1.  Into  a ward  of  the  whitewashed  halls, 

Where  the  dead  and  dying  lay, 

Wounded  by  bayonets,  shells,  and  balls, 
Somebody’s  darling  was  borne  one  day; 

2.  Somebody’s  darling,  so  young  and  brave, 

Wearing  yet  on  his  pale,  sweet  face, 

Soon  to  be  hid  by  the  dust  of  the  grave, 

The  lingering  light  of  his  boyhood’s  grace. 

3.  Matted  and  damp  are  the  curls  of  gold, 

Kissing  the  snow  of  that  fair  young  brow; 
Pale  are  the  lips  of  delicate  mold — 
Somebody’s  darling  is  dying  now. 

4.  Back  from  his  beautiful,  blue-veined  brow, 

Brush  all  the  wandering  waves  of  gold; 
Cross  his  hands  on  his  bosom  now; 
Somebody’s  darling  is  still  and  cold. 

5.  Kiss  him  once  for  somebody’s  sake, 

Murmur  a prayer  soft  and  low; 

One  bright  curl  from  its  fair  mates  take; 
They  were  somebody’s  pride,  you  know; 

6.  Somebody’s  hand  has  rested  there; 

Was  it  a mother’s,  soft  and  white? 

And  have  the  lips  of  a sister  fair 
Been  baptized  in  the  waves  of  light? 


FOURTH  READER. 


151 


7.  God  knows  best!  he  was  somebody’s  love: 

Somebody’s  heart  enshrined  him  there; 
Somebody  wafted  his  name  above, 

Night  and  morn,  on  the  wings  of  prayer. 

8.  Somebody  wept  when  he  marched  away, 

Looking  so  handsome,  brave,  and  grand ; 
Somebody’s  kiss  on  his  forehead  lay; 

Somebody  clung  to  his  parting  hand. 

9.  Somebody’s  watching  and  waiting  for  him, 

Yearning  to  hold  him  again  to  her  heart; 

And  there  he  lies,  with  his  blue  eyes  dim, 

And  the  smiling,  child-like  lips  apart. 

10.  Tenderly  bury  the  fair  young  dead, 

Pausing  to  drop  on  his  grave  a tear; 

Carve  on  the  wooden  slab  at  his  head, 

“ Somebody’s  darling  slumbers  here.” 

Definitions. — 1.  Bay'o-net,  a short , pointed  iron  weapon , fitted 
to  the  muzzle  of  a gun.  Darling,  one  dearly  loved.  2.  Linger- ing, 
protracted.  3.  Mat7 ted,  twisted  together.  Dell-cate,  soft  and  fair. 
Mold,  shape.  4.  Wan/der-ing,  straying.  7.  En-shrlned7,  cherished. 
WafVed,  caused  to  float.  9.  Yearning,  being  eager , longing.  10. 
TSn'der-ly,  gently , kindly. 


LVI.  KNOWLEDGE  IS  POWER. 

1.  “What  an  excellent  thing  is  knowledge,”  said 
a sharp-looking,  bustling  little  man,  to  one  who  was 
much  older  than  himself.  “ Knowledge  is  an  excellent 
thing,”  repeated  he.  “My  boys  know  more  at  six  and 
seven  years  old  than  I did  at  twelve.  -They  can  read 


152 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


all  sorts  of  books,  and  talk  on  all  sorts  of  subjects. 
The  world  is  a great  deal  wiser  than  it  used  to  be. 
Every  body  knows  something  of  every  thing  now. 
Do  you  not  think,  sir,  that  knowledge  is  an  excellent 
thing  ?” 

2.  “ Why,  sir,”  replied  the  old  man,  looking 
grave,  “that  depends  entirely  upon  the  use  to  which 
it  is  applied.  It  may  be  a blessing  or  a curse. 
Knowledge  is  only  an  increase  of  power,  and  power 
may  be  a bad,  as  well  as  a good  thing.”  “That  is 
what  I can  not  understand,”  said  the  bustling  little 
man.  “How  can  power  be  a bad  thing?” 

3.  “I  will  tell  you,”  meekly  replied  the  old  man; 
and  thus  he  went  on:  “"When  the  power  of  a horse 
is  under  restraint,  the  animal  is  useful  in  bearing  bur- 
dens, drawing  loads,  and  carrying  his  mastery  but 
when  that  power  is  unrestrained,  the  horse  breaks  his 
bridle,  dashes  to  pieces  the  carriage  that  he  draws,  or 
throws  his  rider.”  “I  see!”  said  the  little  man. 

4.  “When  the  water  of  a large  pond  is  properly 
conducted  by  trenches,  it  renders  the  fields  around 
fertile;  but  when  it  bursts  through  its  banks,  it 
sweeps  every  thing  before  it  and  destroys  the  produce 
of  the  fields.”  “ I see ! ” said  the  little  man,  “ I 
see ! ” 

5.  “When  the  ship  is  steered  aright,  the  sail  that 
she  hoists  enables  her  sooner  to  get  into  port;  but  if 
steered  wrong,  the  more  sail  she  carries  the  further 
will  she  go  out  of  her  course.”  “ I see ! ” said  the 
little  man,  “ I see  clearly  ! ” 

6.  “Well,  then,”  continued  the  old  man,  “if  you 
see  these  things  so  clearly,  I hope  you  can  see,  too, 
that  knowledge,  to  be  a good  thing,  must  be  rightly 
applied.  God’s  grace  in  the  heart  will  render  the 


FOURTH  READER. 


153 


knowledge  of  the  head  a blessing;  but  without  this,  it 
may  prove  to  us  no  better  than  a curse.”  “I  see!  I 
see ! ” said  the  little  man,  “ I see ! ” 

Definitions. — 1.  Bus'tling,  very  active , stirring.  Subject,  the 
thing  treated  of#  3.  Meekly,  mildly , quietly , gently.  Re-straint7, 
any  thing  which  hinders.  Bur/den§,  loads.  4.  Con-dueled,  led , 
guided.  Trenches,  ditches.  Fertile,  producing  much  fruit , rich. 
Pr6d7u£e,  that  which  is  yielded  or  produced.  5.  Steered7,  guided , 
directed.  Hoists,  raises.  6.  Ap-plled7,  directed , made  use  of. 

Exercises. — What  is  the  subject  of  this  lesson?  Is  knowl- 
edge always  a power?  Is  it  always  a blessing?  Relate  the 
several  examples  of  power  wrongly  used.  If  we  use  the  powers 
that  God  has  given  us  for  bad  purposes,  what  will  our  knowl- 
edge prove  to  be? 


LVII.  GOOD-WILL. 

By  J.  T.  Trowbridge.— (Adapted.) 

1.  I suppose  you  all,  my  boys,  are  looking  for  some 
sort  of  success  in  life;  it  is  right  that  you  should; 
but  what  are  your  notions  of  success?  To  get  rich  as 
soon  as  possible,  without  regard  to  the  means  by  which 
your  wealth  is  acquired? 

2.  There  is  no  true  success  in  that:  when  you  have 
gained  millions,  you  may  yet  be  poorer  than  when  you 
had  nothing;  and  it  is  that  same  reckless  ambition 
which  has  brought  many  a bright  and  capable  boy, 
not  to  great  estate  at  last,  but  to  miserable  failure 
and  disgrace;  not  to  a palace,  but  to  a prison. 

3.  Wealth  rightly  got  and  rightly  used,  rational  en- 
joyment, power,  fame, — these  are  all  worthy  objects  of 
ambition;  but  they  are  not  the  highest  objects,  and 


154 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


you  may  acquire  them  all  without  achieving  true  suc- 
cess. But  if,  whatever  you  seek,  you  put  good-will 
into  all  your  actions,  you  are  sure  of  the  best  success 
at  last;  for  whatever  else  you  gain  or  miss,  you  are 
building  up  a noble  and  beautiful  character,  which  is 
not  only  the  best  of  possessions  in  this  world,  but 
also  is  about  all  you  can  expect  to  take  with  you  into 
the  next. 

4.  I say,  good-will  in  all  your  actions.  You  are 
not  simply  to  be  kind  and  helpful  to  others;  but, 
whatever  you  do,  give  honest,  earnest  purpose  to  it. 
Thomas  is  put  by  his  parents  to  learn  a business. 
But  Thomas  does  not  like  to  apply  himself  very 
closely.  “What’s  the  use?”  he  says.  “I’m  not  paid 
much,  and  I’m  not  going  to  work  much.  I’ll  get 
along  just  as  easily  as  I can,  and  have  as  good  times 
as  I can.” 

5.  So  he  shirks  his  tasks;  and  instead  of  thinking 
about  his  employer’s  interests,  or  his  own  self-improve- 
ment, gives  his  mind  to  trifles, — often  to  evil  things, 
which  in  their  ruinous  effects  upon  his  life  are  not 
trifles.  As  soon  as  he  is  free  from  his  daily  duties,  he 
is  off  with  his  companions,  having  what  they  call  a 
good  time;  his  heart  is  with  them  even  while  his 
hands  are  employed  in  the  shop  or  store. 

6.  He  does  nothing  thoroughly  well, — not  at  all  for 
want  of  talent,  but  solely J for  lack  of  good-will.  He 
is  not  preparing  himself  to  be  one  of  those  efficient 
clerks  or  workmen  who  are  always  in  demand,  and 
who  receive  the  highest  wages. 

7.  There  is  a class  of  people  who  are  the  pest  of 
every  community,  workmen  who  do  not  know  their 
trade,  men  of  business  ignorant  of  the  first  principles 
of  business.  They  can  never  be  relied  upon  to  do 


FOURTH  READER. 


155 


well  any  thing  they  undertake.  They  are  always  mak- 
ing blunders  which  other  people  have  to  suffer  for,  and 
which  react  upon  themselves.  They  are  always  getting 
out  of  employment,  and  failing  in  business. 

8.  To  make  up  for  what  they  lack  in  knowledge 
and  thoroughness,  they  often  resort  to  trick  and  fraud, 
and  become  not  merely  contemptible  but  criminal. 
Thomas  is  preparing  himself  to  be  one  of  this  class. 
You  can  not,  boys,  expect  to  raise  a good  crop  from 
evil  seed. 

9.  By  Thomas’s  side  works  another  boy,  whom  we 
will  call  James, — a lad  of  only  ordinary  capacity, 
very  likely.  If  Thomas  and  all  the  other  boys  did 
their  best,  there  would  be  but  small  chance  for  James 
ever  to  become  eminent.  But  he  has  something  better 
than  talent:  he  brings  good-will  to  his  work.  What- 
ever he  learns,  he  learns  so  well  that  it  becomes  a 
part  of  himself. 

10.  His  employers  find  that  they  can  depend  upon 
him.  Customers  soon  learn  to  like  and  trust  him. 
By  diligence,  self-culture,  good  habits,  cheerful  and 
kindly  conduct,  he  is  laying  the  foundation  of  a gen- 
erous manhood  and  a genuine  success. 

11.  In  short,  boys,  by  slighting  your  tasks  you  hurt 
yourself  more  than  you  wrong  your  employer.  By 
honest  service  you  benefit  yourself  more  than  you  help 
him.  If  you  were  aiming  at  mere  worldly  advance- 
ment only,  I should  still  say  that  good-will  was  the 
very  best  investment  you  could  make  in  business. 

12.  By  cheating  a customer,  you  gain  only  a tem- 
porary and  unreal  advantage.  By  serving  nim  with 
right  good-will, — doing  by  him  as  you  would  be  done 
by, — you  not  only  secure  his  confidence  but  also  his 
good-will  in  return.  But  this  is  a sordid  considera- 


/ 


156 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


tion  compared  with  the  inward  satisfaction,  the  glow 
and  expansion  of  soul  which  attend  a good  action 
done  for  itself  alone.  If  I were  to  sum  up  all  I have 
to  say  to  you  in  one  last  word  of  love  and  counsel, 
that  one  word  should  be — Good-will. 

Definitions. — 3.  Char'ae-ter,  the  sum  of  qualities  which  distin- 
guish one  person  from  another.  4.  Purpose,  intention , aim.  7. 
Prin^i-pleg,  fixed  rules.  9.  Ca-pa^i-ty,  ability , the  power  of  re- 
ceiving ideas.  12.  Sor'did,  base,  meanly  avaricious. 

Exercises. — What  is  meant  by  the  phrase  “ to  apply  him- 
self,’’ in  the  fourth  paragraph?  What  is  meant  by  “a  generous 
manhood,”  tenth  paragraph?  By  “ expansion  of  soul,”  twelfth 
paragraph?  Tell  what  is  meant  by  “good-will,”  as  taught  by 
this  lesson.  How  did  Tom  and  James  differ  in  character? 


LVIII.  A CHINESE  STORY. 


By  Christopher  Pearse  Cranch,  who  was  horn  at  Alexandria,  Va. 
(then  D.  C.),  in  1813.  He  has  written  some  well-known  children’s  stories, 
besides  numerous  poems ; but  his  greatest  literary  work  is  “ The  iEneid 
of  Virgil,  translated  into  English  blank  verse.” 


1.  Two  young,  near-sighted  fellows,  Chang  and  Ching, 
Over  their  chopsticks  idly  chattering, 

Fell  to  disputing  which  could  see  the  best; 

At  last,  they  agreed  to  put  it  to  the  test. 

Said  Chang,  “A  marble  tablet,  so  I hear, 

* Is  placed  upon  the  Bo-hee  temple  near, 

With  an  inscription  on  it.  Let  us  go 
And  read  it  (since  you  boast  your  optics  so), 
Standing  together  at  a certain  place 
In  front,  where  we  the  letters  just  may  trace; 

Then  he  who  quickest  leads  the  inscription  there, 


FOURTH  READER. 


157 


The  palm  for  keenest  eyes  henceforth  shall  bear.” 
“ Agreed,”  said  Ching,  “but  let  us  try  it  soon: 
Suppose  we  say  to-morrow  afternoon.” 

2.  “Nay,  not  so  soon,”  said  Chang;  “Pm  bound  to  go 
To-morrow  a day’s  ride  from  Ho-ang-ho, 

And  sha’n’t  be  ready  till  the  following  day: 

At  ten  A.  M.,  on  Thursday,  let  us  say.” 

3.  So  ’twas  arranged;  but  Ching  was  wide-awake: 
Time  by  the  forelock  he  resolved  to  take; 

And  to  the  temple  went  at  once,  and  read, 

Upon  the  tablet,  “To  the  illustrious  dead, 

The  chief  of  mandarins,  the  great  Goh-Bang.” 
Scarce  had  he  gone  when  stealthily  came  Chang, 
Who  read  the  same;  but  peering  closer,  he 
Spied  in  a corner  what  Ching  failed  to  see — 

The  words,  “This  tablet  is  erected  here 

By  those  to  whom  the  great  Goh-Bang  was  dear.” 

4.  So  on  the  appointed  day — both  innocent 

As  babes,  of  course — these  honest  fellows  went, 
And  took  their  distant  station ; and  Ching  said, 

“I  can  read  plainly,  ‘To  the  illustrious  dead, 

The  chief  of  mandarins,  the  great  Goh-Bang.’  ” 
“And  is  that  all  that  you  can  spell?”  said  Chang; 
“I  see  what  you  have  read,  but  furthermore, 

In  smaller  letters,  toward  the  temple  door, 

Quite  plain,  ‘This  tablet  is  erected  here 

By  those  to  whom  the  great  Goh-Bang  was  dear.’  ” 

5.  “My  sharp-eyed  friend,  there  are  no  such  words!” 

said  Ching. 

“They’re  there,”  said  Chang,  “if  I see  any  thing, 


158 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


As  clear  as  daylight.”  “Patent  eyes,  indeed, 

You  have!”  cried  Ching;  “do  you  think  I can  not 
read?” 

“Not  at  this  distance  as  I can,”  Chang  said, 

“If  what  you  say  you  saw  is  all  you  read.” 

6.  In  line,  they  quarreled,  and  their  wrath  increased, 
Till  Chang  said,  “ Let  us  leave  it  to  the  priest ; 
Lo!  here  he  comes  to  meet  us.”  “It  is  well,” 

Said  honest  Ching;  “no  falsehood  he  will  tell.” 


FOURTH  READER. 


159 


7.  The  good  man  heard  their  artless  story  through, 
And  said,  “I  think,  dear  sirs,  there  must  be  few 
Blest  with  such  wondrous  eyes  as  those  you  wear: 
There’s  no  such  tablet  or  inscription  there! 

There  was  one,  it  is  true;  ’twas  moved  away 
And  placed  within  the  temple  yesterday.” 

Definitions. — 1.  Near-sighted,  seeing  at  a short  distance  only. 
Chop'sticks,  small  sticks  of  wood , ivory,  etc.,  used  in  pairs  by 
Chinese  to  carry  food  to  the  mouth.  Tat/let,  a small , flat  piece  of 
any  thing  on  which  to  write  or  engrave.  In-serip/tion,  something 
written  or  engraved  on  a solid  substance.  Op'ties,  eyes.  Palm,  the 
reward  of  victory,  prize.  2.  A.  M.,  an  abbreviation  for  the  Latin 
ante  meridian,  meaning ■ before  noon.  3.  Man-da-rin',  a Chinese 
public  officer.  5.  Patent,  secured  from  general  use , peculiar  to  one 
person. 


LIX.  THE  WAY  TO  BE  HAPPY. 

1.  Every  child  must  observe  how  much  more  happy 
and  beloved  some  children  are  than  others.  There  are 
some  children  you  always  love  to  be  with.  They  are 
happy  themselves,  and  they  make  you  happy. 

2.  There  are  others  whom  you  always  avoid.  They 
seem  to  have  no  friends.  No  person  can  be  happy 
without  friends.  The  heart  is  formed  for  love,  and 
can  not  be  happy  without  it. 

“’Tis  not  in  titles  nor  in  rank, 

’Tis  not  in  wealth  like  London  bank, 

To  make  us  truly  blest. 

If  happiness  have  not  her  seat 
And  center  in  the  breast, 

We  may  be  wise,  or  rich,  or  great, 

But  never  can  be  blest.” 


160 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


4.  But  you  can  not  receive  affection  unless  you  will 
also  give  it.  You  can  not  find  others  to  love  you 
unless  you  will  also  love  them.  Love  is  only  to  be 
obtained  by  giving  love  in  return.  Hence  the  impor- 
tance of  cultivating  a good  disposition.  You  can  not 
be  happy  without  it. 

5.  I have  sometimes  heard  a girl  say,  “I  know  that 
I am  very  unpopular  at  school.”  Now,  this  plainly 
shows  that  she  is  not  amiable. 

6.  If  your  companions  do  not  love  you,  it  is  your 
own  fault.  They  can  not  help  loving  you  if  you  will 
be  kind  and  friendly.  If  you  are  not  loved,  it  is  a 
good  proof  that  you  do  not  deserve  to  be  loved.  It 
is  true  that  a sense  of  duty  may,  at  times,  render  it 
necessary  for  you  to  do  that  which  will  displease  your 
companions. 

7.  But  if  it  is  seen  that  you  have  a noble  spirit, 
that  you  are  above  selfishness,  that  you  are  willing  to 
make  sacrifices  to  promote  the  happiness  of  others, 
you  will  never  be  in  want  of  friends. 

8.  You  must  not  regard  it  as  your  misfortune  that 
others  do  not  love  you,  but  your  fault.  It  is  not 
beauty,  it  is  not  wealth,  that  will  give  you  friends. 
Your  heart  must  glow  with  kindness,  if  you  would 
attract  to  yourself  the  esteem  and  affection  of  those 
around  you. 

9.  You  are  little  aware  how  much  the  happiness  of 
your  whole  life  depends  upon  the  cultivation  of  a good 
disposition.  If  you  will  adopt  the  resolution  that  you 
will  confer  favors  whenever  you  can,  you  will  certainly 
be  surrounded  by  ardent  friends.  Begin  upon  this 
principle  in  childhood,  and  act  upon  it  through  life, 
and  you  will  make  yourself  happy,  and  promote  the 
happiness  of  all  within  your  influence. 


FOURTH  READER . 


161 


10.  You  go  to  school  on  a cold  winter  morning.  A 
bright  fire  is  blazing  in  the  stove,  surrounded  with 
boys  struggling  to  get  near  it  to  warm  themselves. 
After  you  are  slightly  warmed,  a school-mate  comes  in 
suffering  with  cold.  “ Here,  James, ” you  pleasantly 
call  out  to  him,  “I  am  almost  warm;  you  may  have 
my  place.” 

11.  As  you  slip  aside  to  allow  him  to  take  your 
place  at  the  fire,  will  he  not  feel  that  you  are  kind? 
The  worst  boy  in  the  world  can  not  help  admiring 
such  generosity ; and,  even  though  he  be  so  ungrate- 
ful as  not  to  return  the  favor,  you  may  depend  upon  it 
that  he  will  be  your  friend  as  far  as  he  is  capable  of 
friendship.  If  you  will  always  act  upon  this  principle, 
you  will  never  want  for  friends. 

12.  Suppose,  some  day,  you  are  out  with  your  com- 
panions playing  ball.  After  you  have  been  playing 
for  some  time,  another  boy  comes  along.  He  can  not 
be  chosen  upon  either  side,  for  there  is  no  one  to 
match  him.  “ Henry,”  you  say,  “you  may  take  my 
place  a little  while,  and  I will  rest.” 

13.  You  throw  yourself  down  upon  the  grass,  while 
Henry,  fresh  and  vigorous,  takes  your  bat  and  engages 
in  the  game.  He  knows  that  you  give  up  to  oblige 
him,  and  how  can  he  help  liking  you  for  it?  The 
fact  is,  that  neither  man  nor  child  can  cultivate  such  a 
spirit  of  generosity  and  kindness  without  attracting 
affection  and  esteem. 

14.  Look  and  see  which  of  your  companions  have 
the  most  friends,  and  you  will  find  that  they  are  those 
who  have  this  noble  spirit;  who  are  willing  to  deny 
themselves,  that  they  may  make  others  happy.  There 
is  but  one  way  to  make  friends;  and  that  is,  by  being 
friendly  to  others. 

(4.-11.) 


162 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


15o  Perhaps  some  child  who  reads  this  feels  con- 
scious of  being  disliked,  and  yet  desires  to  have  the 
affection  of  his  companions.  You  ask  me  what  you 
shall  do.  I will  tell  you.  I will  give  you  an  infalli- 
ble rule:  Do  all  in  your  power  to  make  others  happy. 
Be  willing  to  make  sacrifices,  that  you  may  promote 
the  happiness  of  others. 

16.  This  is  the  way  to  make  friends,  and  the  only 
way.  When  you  are  playing  with  your  brothers  and 
sisters  at  home,  be  always  ready  to  give  them  more 
than  their  share  of  privileges.  Manifest  an  obliging 
disposition,  and  they  can  not  but  regard  you  with 
affection.  In  all  your  intercourse  with  others,  at  home 
or  abroad,  let  these  feelings  influence  you,  and  you 
will  receive  a rich  reward. 

Definitions. — 4.  CuFti-vat-ing,  cherishing , encouraging . 5. 
Un-pSp'u-lar,  not  pleasing  others.  6.  Com-pan'iong,  those  who  keep 
company  with  any  one.  7.  Sae'ri-fic-eg,  things  given  up  to  oblige 
others.  Pro-mote7,  advance , forward.  10.  SuFfer-ing,  undergoing 
pain.  11.  G8n-er-5s7i-ty,  kindness , nobleness  of  soul.  15.  In-faF- 
li-ble,  certain , that  can  not  fail.  16.  Manifest,  to  show  plainly. 
In'ter-eourse,  communication , mutual  dealings. 

Exercises. — What  is  this  lesson  about?  Can  we  be  happy 
without  friends?  How  can  we  win  the  love  of  those  about  us? 
Whose  fault  is  it  if  we  are  not  loved?  What  rule  will  surely 
gain  us  love  and  friendship  if  we  always  follow  it? 


LX.  THE  GIRAFFE,  OR  CAMELOPARD. 

1.  The  giraffe  is  a native  of  Africa.  It  is  of  sin- 
gular shape  and  size,  and  bears  some  resemblance  both 
to  the  camel  and  the  deer.  The  mouth  is  small;  the 
eyes  are  full  and  brilliant;  the  tongue  is  rough,  very 


FOURTH  READER. 


163 


long,  and  ending  in  a point.  The  neck  is  long  and 
slender,  and,  from  the  shoulder  to  the  top  of  the  head, 
it  measures  between  seven  and  eight  feet;  from  the 
ground  to  the  top  of  the  shoulder,  is  commonly  ten  or 
eleven  feet;  so  that  the  height  of  a full  grown  giraffe 
is  seventeen  or  eighteen  feet. 

2.  The  hair  is  of  a deep  brown  color  in  the  male, 
and  of  a light  or  yellowish  brown  in  the  female.  The 
skin  is  beautifully  diversified  with  white  spots.  They 
have  short,  blunt  horns,  and  hoofs  like  those  of  the 
ox.  In  their  wild  state,  they  feed  on  the  leaves  of  a 
gum-bearing  tree  peculiar  to  warm  climates. 

3.  The  giraffe,  like  the  horse  and  other  hoofed  ani- 
mals, defends  itself  by  kicking;  and  its  hinder  limbs 
are  so  light,  and  its  blows  so  rapid,  that  the  eye  can 
not  follow  them.  They  are  sufficient  for  its  defense 
against  the  lion.  It  never  employs  its  horns  in  resist- 
ing the  attack  of  an  enemy.  Its  disposition  is  gentle, 
and  it  flees  to  its  native  forest  upon  the  least  alarm. 

4.  Le  Vaillant  (the  celebrated  French  traveler  and 
naturalist)  was  the  first  who  gave  us  any  exact  ac- 
count of  the  form  and  habits  of  the  giraffe.  While 
he  was  traveling  in  South  Africa,  he  happened  one  day 
to  discover  a hut  covered  with  the  skin  of  one  of  those 
animals;  and  learned  to  his  surprise  that  he  was  now 
in  a part  of  the  country  where  the  creature  was  found. 
He  could  not  rest  contented  until  he  had  seen  the 
animal  alive,  and  had  secured  a specimen. 

5.  Having  on  several  days  obtained  sight  of  some 
of  them,  he,  with  his  attendants,  on  horseback  and 
accompanied  with  dogs,  gave  chase;  but  they  baffled 
all  pursuit.  After  a chase  of  a whole  day,  which 
effected  nothing  but  the  fatigue  of  the  party,  he  began 
to  despair  of  success. 


164 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


6.  “ The  next  day,”  says  he,  “ by  sunrise,  I was  in 
pursuit  of  game,  in  the  hope  of  obtaining  some  pro- 
visions for  my  men.  After  several  hours’  fatigue,  we 
saw,  at  the  turn  of  a hill,  seven  giraffes,  which  my 
pack  of  dogs  instantly  pursued.  Six  of  them  went  off 
together;  but  the  seventh,  cut  off*  by  my  dogs,  took 
another  way. 

7.  “ I followed  the  single  one  at  full  speed,  but,  in 
spite  of  the  efforts  of  my  horse,  she  got  so  much  ahead 
of  me,  that,  in  turning  a little  hill,  I lost  sight  of  her 
altogether,  and  I gave  up  the  pursuit.  My  dogs,  how- 
ever, were  not  so  easily  exhausted.  They  were  soon  so 
close  upon  her  that  she  was  obliged  to  stop  and  de- 
fend herself.  From  the  noise  they  made,  I conjectured 
that  they  had  got  the  animal  into  a corner,  and  I 
again  pushed  forward. 

8.  “I  had  scarcely  got  round  the  hill,  when  I per- 
ceived her  surrounded  by  the  dogs,  and  endeavoring 
to  drive  them  away  by  heavy  kicks.  In  a moment  I 
was  on  my  feet,  and  a shot  from  my  carbine  brought 
her  to  the  earth.  I was  delighted  with  my  victory, 
which  enabled  me  to  add  to  the  riches  of  natural  his- 
tory. I was  now  able,  also,  to  destroy  the  romance 
which  attached  to  this  animal,  and  to  establish  the 
truth  of  its  existence.” 

Definitions. — 1.  Bnll'iant,  sparkling,  shining.  2.  Di- verbi- 
fied, made  various.  Pe-ciiFiar,  especially  belonging  to.  4.  Nat/u- 
ral-ist,  one  who  is  acquainted  with  objects  of  nature.  Sp^/i-men, 
a sample.  5.  Bafffled,  defeated,  escaped  from.  Fa-tigue',  weari- 
ness. 7.  Con -j Scoured,  guessed.  8.  Car 'bine,  a short  gun.  Po- 
made', a story  without  truth. 

Exercises.— Of  what  country  is  the  giraffe  a native?  To 
what  height  does  it  attain  when  full  grown?  On  what  does  it 
live?  How  does  it  defend  itself?  Relate  the  story  of  Le  Vail- 
]ant’s  giraffe  hunt 


FOURTH  READER. 


165 


LXI.  THE  LOST  CHILD. 

1.  A FEW  years  since,  a child  was  lost  in  the  woods. 
He  was  out  with  his  brothers  and  sisters  gathering 
berries,  and  was  accidentally  separated  from  them,  and 
lost.  The  children,  after  looking  in  vain  for  some 
time  in  search  of  the  little  wanderer,  returned,  just  in 
the  dusk  of  the  evening,  to  inform  their  parents  that 
their  brother  was  lost  and  could  not  be  found. 

2.  The  woods,  at  that  time;  were  full  of  bears.  The 
darkness  of  a cloudy  night  was  rapidly  coming  on,  and 
the  alarmed  father,  gathering  a few  of  his  neighbors, 
hastened  in  search  of  the  lost  child.  The  mother  re- 
mained at  home,  almost  distracted  with  suspense. 

3.  As  the  clouds  gathered,  and  the  darkness  in- 
creased, the  father  and  the  neighbors,  with  highly 
excited  fears,  traversed  the  woods  in  all  directions, 
and  raised  loud  shouts  to  attract  the  attention  of  the 
child.  But  their  search  was  in  vain.  They  could  find 
no  trace  of  the  wanderer;  and,  as  they  stood  under  the 
boughs  of  the  lofty  trees,  and  listened,  that  if  possible 
they  might  hear  his  feeble  voice,  no  sound  was  borne 
to  their  ears  but  the  melancholy  moaning  of  the  wind 
as  it  swept  through  the  thick  branches  of  the  forest. 

4.  The  gathering  clouds  threatened  an  approaching 
storm,  and  the  deep  darkness  of  the  night  had  already 
enveloped  them.  It  is  difficult  to  conceive  what  were 
the  feelings  of  that  father.  And  who  could  imagine 
how  deep  the  distress  which  filled  the  bosom  of  that 
mother,  as  she  heard  the  wind,  and  beheld  the  dark- 
ness in  which  her  child  was  wandering ! 

5.  The  search  was  continued  in  vain  till  nine  o'clock 
in  the  evening.  Then,  one  of  the  party  was  sent  back 


166 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


to  the  village,  to  collect  the  inhabitants  for  a more 
extensive  search.  The  bell  rung  the  alarm,  and  the 
cry  of  fire  resounded  through  the  streets.  It  was 
ascertained,  however,  that  it  was  not  fire  which  caused 

the  alarm,  but  that  the  bell  tolled  the  more  solemn 

tidings  of  a lost  child. 

6.  Every  heart  sympathized  in  the  sorrows  of  the 

distracted  parents.  Soon,  multitudes  of  the  people 
were  seen  ascending  the  hill,  upon  the  declivity  of 

which  the  village  stood,  to  aid  in  the  search.  Ere 

long,  the  rain  began  to  fall,  but  no  tidings  came  back 
to  the  village  of  the  lost  child.  Hardly  an  eye  was 
that  night  closed  in  sleep,  and  there  was  not  a mother 
who  did  not  feel  for  the  parents. 

7.  The  night  passed  away,  and  the  morning  dawned, 
and  yet  no  tidings  came.  At  last,  those  engaged 
in  the  search  met  together  and  held  a consultation. 
They  made  arrangements  for  a more  minute  search, 
and  agreed  that,  in  case  the  child  was  found,  a gun 
should  be  fired,  to  give  a signal  to  the  rest  of  the 
party. 

8.  As  the  sun  arose,  the  clouds  were  scattered,  and 
the  whole  landscape  glittered  in  the  rays  of  the  bright 
morning.  But  that  village  was  deserted  and  still. 
The  stores  were  closed,  and  business  was  hushed. 
Mothers  were  walking  the  streets,  with  sympathizing 
countenances  and  anxious  hearts.  There  was  but  one 
thought  in  every  mind : “ What  has  become  of  the 
lost  child  ?” 

9.  All  the  affections  and  interest  of  the  neighbor- 
hood were  flowing  in  one  deep  and  broad  channel 
toward  the  little  wanderer.  About  nine  in  the  morn- 
ing, the  signal  gun  was  fired,  which  announced  that 
the  child  was  found;  and,  for  a moment,  how  dreadful 


167 


FOURTH  READER. 

was  the  suspense!  Was  it  found  a mangled  corpse? 
or  was  it  alive  and  well? 

10.  Soon,  a joyful  shout  proclaimed  the  safety  of 
the  child.  The  shout  was  borne  from  tongue  to 
tongue,  till  the  whole  forest  rang  again  with  the  joyful 
sound.  A messenger  rapidly  bore  the  tidings  to  the 
distracted  mother.  A procession  was  immediately 
formed  by  those  engaged  in  the  search.  The  child  was 
placed  upon  a platform,  hastily  formed  from  the  boughs 
of  trees,  and  borne  in  triumph  at  the  head  of  the  pro- 
cession. When  they  arrived  at  the  brow  of  the  hill, 
they  rested  for  a moment,  and  proclaimed  their  success 
with  three  loud  and  animated  cheers. 

11.  The  procession  then  moved  on  till  they  arrived 
in  front  of  the  dwelling  where  the  parents  of  the  child 
resided.  The  mother,  who  stood  at  the  door,  with 
streaming  eyes  and  throbbing  heart,  could  no  longer 
restrain  herself  or  her  feelings. 

12.  She  rushed  into  the  street,  clasped  her  child  to 
her  bosom,  and  wept  aloud.  Every  eye  was  filled 
with  tears,  and,  for  a moment,  all  were  silent.  But 
suddenly  some  one  gave  a signal  for  a shout.  One 
loud,  and  long,  and  happy  note  of  joy  rose  from  the 
assembled  multitude,  and  they  went  to  their  business 
and  their  homes. 

13.  There  was  more  joy  over  the  one  child  that  was 
found  than  over  the  ninety  and  nine  that  went  not 
astray.  Likewise,  there  is  joy  in  the  presence  of  the 
angels  of  God  over  one  sinner  that  repenteth.  But 
still,  this  is  a feeble  representation  of  the  love  of  our 
Father  in  heaven  for  us,  and  of  the  joy  with  which 
the  angels  welcome  the  returning  wanderer. 

14.  The  mother  can  not  feel  for  her  child  that  is 
lost  as  God  feels  for  the  unhappy  wanderer  in  the 


168 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


paths  of  sin.  If  a mother  can  feel  so  much,  what 
must  be  the  feelings  of  our  Father  in  heaven  for  those 
who  have  strayed  from  his  love?  If  man  can  feel  so 
deep  a sympathy,  what  must  be  the  emotions  which 
glow  in  the  bosom  of  angels? 

Definitions. — 1.  SSp'a-rat-ed,  parted.  2.  Dis  tracted,  made 
crazy.  Sus-pense',  doubt , uncertainty.  3.  Traversed,  passed  over 
and  examined.  5.  As^er-tained',  made  certain.  6.  Sympa- 
thized, felt  for.  De-clivTty,  descent  of  land.  7.  CSn-sul-taTion, 
a meeting  of  persons  to  advise  together.  8.  Landscape,  a portion  of 
territory  which  the  eye  can  see  in  a single  view.  10.  Pro-claimed', 
made  known  publicly.  11.  Pro-^s'sion,  a train  of  persons  walking 
or  riding.  13.  Rp-re-gen-ta'tion,  the  act  of  describing  or  showing. 


LXII.  WHICH? 

By  Mrs.  E.  L.  Beers. 

1.  Which  shall  it  be?  Which  shall  it  be? 

I looked  at  John — John  looked  at  me; 
Dear,  patient  John,  who  loves  me  yet 
As  well  as  though  my  locks  were  jet. 

And  when  I found  that  I must  speak, 

My  voice  seemed  strangely  low  and  weak: 
“Tell  me  again  what  Robert  said!” 

And  then  I,  listening,  bent  my  head. 
“This  is  his  letter:” 

2.  “‘I  will  give 
A house  and  land  while  you  shall  live, 
if,  in  return,  from  out  your  seven, 

One  child  to  me  for  aye  is  given/  ” 

I looked  at  John’s  old  garments  worn, 

I thought  of  all  that  John  had  borne 


FOURTH  READER. 


169 


Of  poverty,  and  work,  and  care, 

Which  I,  though  willing,  could  not  share; 
I thought  of  seven  mouths  to  feed, 

Of  seven  little  children’s  need, 

And  then  of  this. 

3.  “Come,  John,”  said  I, 

“We’ll  choose  among  them  as  they  lie 
Asleep;”  so,  walking  hand  in  hand, 

Dear  John  and  I surveyed  our  band. 

First  to  the  cradle  light  we  stepped, 
Where  Lilian  the  baby  slept, 

A glory  ’gainst  the  pillow  white. 


170 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


Softly  the  father  stooped  to  lay 
His  rough  hand  down  in  loving  way, 
When  dream  or  , whisper  made  her  stir, 
And  huskily  he  said:  “Not  her!” 

4.  We  stooped  beside  the  trundle-bed, 

And  one  long  ray  of  lamp-light  shed 
Athwart  the  boyish  faces  there, 

In  sleep  so  pitiful  and  fair; 

I saw  on  Jamie’s  rough,  red  cheek, 

A tear  undried.  Ere  John  could  speak, 
“He’s  but  a baby,  too,”  said  I, 

And  kissed  him  as  we  hurried  by. 

5.  Pale,  patient  Robbie’s  angel  face 

Still  in  his  sleep  bore  suffering’s  trace: 
“No,  for  a thousand  crowns,  not  him,” 
He  whispered,  while  our  eyes  were  dim. 


FOURTH  READER. 


171 


6.  Poor  Dick!  bad  Dick!  our  wayward  son, 
Turbulent,  reckless,  idle  one — 

Could  he  be  spared?  “Nay,  He  who  gave, 

Bade  us  befriend  him  to  the  grave; 

Only  a mother's  heart  can  be 
Patient  enough  for  such  as  he; 

And  so,"  said  John,  “ I would  not  dare 
To  send  him  from  her  bedside  prayer." 

7.  Then  stole  we  softly  up  above 
And  knelt  by  Mary,  child  of  love. 

“ Perhaps  for  her  't  would  better  be," 

I said  to  John.  Quite  silently 
He  lifted  up  a curl  that  lay 
Across  her  cheek  in  willful  way, 

And  shook  his  head.  “Nay,  love,  not  thee," 

The  while  my  heart  beat  audibly. 

8.  Only  one  more,  our  eldest  lad, 

Trusty  and  truthful,  good  and  glad— 

So  like  his  father.  “No,  John,  no — 

I can  not,  will  not  let  him  go." 

9.  And  so  we  wrote  in  courteous  way, 

We  could  not  drive  one  child  away. 

And  afterward,  toil  lighter  seemed, 

Thinking  of  that  of  which  we  dreamed; 

Happy,  in  truth,  that  not  one  face 

We  missed  from  its  accustomed  place; 

Thankful  to  work  for  all  the  seven, 

Trusting  the  rest  to  One  in  heaven! 

Definitions. — 2.  Aye,  always.  3.  Sur-veyed',  took  a view  of. 
5.  Crown,  an  English  silver  coin  worth  about  $1.20.  6.  Way'- 

ward,  willful.  Tur'bu-lent,  disposed  to  disorder . 9.  Court/e-otis, 

polite.  Ae-etis'tomed,  usual. 


172 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


LXIII.  THE  PET  FAWN. 

1.  A pretty  little  fawn  had  been  brought  in  from 
the  woods,  when  very  young,  and  nursed  and  petted 
by  a lady  in  the  village  until  it  had  become  as  tame 
as  possible.  It  was  graceful,  as  those  little  creatures 
always  are,  and  so  gentle  and  playful  that  it  became 
a great  favorite,  following  the  different  members  of  the 
family  about,  being  caressed  by  the  neighbors,  and 
welcome  every-where. 

2.  One  morning,  after  playing  about  as  usual  until 
weary,  it  lay  down  in  the  sunshine,  at  the  feet  of  one 
of  its  friends,  upon  the  steps  of  a store.  There  came 
along  a countryman,  who  for  several  years  had  been  a 
hunter  by  pursuit,  and  who  still  kept  several  hounds, 
one  of  which  was  now  with  him. 

3.  The  dog,  as  it  approached  the  spot  where  the 
fawn  lay,  suddenly  stopped.  The  little  animal  saw 
him,  and  started  to  its  feet.  It  had  lived  more  than 
half  its  life  among  the  dogs  of  the  village,  and  had 
apparently  lost  all  fear  of  them ; but  it  seemed  now  to 
know  that  an  enemy  was  near.  In  an  instant,  its 
whole  nature  seemed  changed;  all  its  past  habits  were 
forgotten ; every  wild  impulse  was  awake ; its  head 
erect,  its  nostrils  dilated,  its  eyes  flashing. 

4.  In  another  instant,  before  the  spectators  had 
thought  of  the  danger,  and  before  its  friends  could 
secure  it,  the  fawn  was  bounding  away  through  the 
street,  and  the  hound  in  full  chase.  The  bystanders 
were  eager  to  save  it ; several  persons  immediately 
followed  its  track;  the  friends  who  had  long  fed  and 
fondled  it,  calling  the  name  it  had  hitherto  known,  in 
vain. 


FOURTH  READER. 


173 


5.  The  hunter  endeavored  to  whistle  back  his  dog, 
but  with  no  success.  In  half  a minute  the  fawn  had 
turned  the  first  corner,  dashed  onward  toward  the  lake, 
and  thrown  itself  into  the  water.  But  if  for  a moment 
the  startled  creature  believed  itself  safe  in  the  cool 
bosom  of  the  lake,  it  was  soon  undeceived;  for  the 
hound  followed  in  hot  and  eager  chase,  while  a dozen 
village  dogs  joined  blindly  in  the  pursuit. 

6.  A large  crowd  collected  on  the  bank  — men, 
women,  and  children — anxious  for  the  fate  of  the  little 
animal  so  well  known  to  them  all.  Some  threw  them- 
selves into  boats,  hoping  to  intercept  the  hound  before 
he  reached  his  prey.  The  plashing  of  the  oars,  the 
eager  voices  of  men  and  boys,  and  the  barking  of  the 
dogs,  must  have  filled  the  heart  of  the  poor  fawn  with 
terror  and  anguish, — as  though  every  creature  on  the 
spot  where  it  had  once  been  caressed  and  fondled,  had 
suddenly  turned  into  a deadly  foe. 

7.  It  was  soon  seen  that  the  little  animal  was  direct- 
ing its  course  across  a bay  toward  the  nearest  borders 
of  the  forest.  Immediately  the  owner  of  the  hound 
crossed  the  bridge,  and  ran  at  full  speed,  hoping  to 
stop  his  dog  as  he  landed.  On  swam  the  fawn,  as  it 
never  swam  before;  its  delicate  head  scarcely  seen 
above  the  water,  but  leaving  a disturbed  track,  which 
betrayed  its  course  alike  to  its  friends  and  foes. 

8.  As  it  approached  the  land,  the  interest  became 
intense.  The  hunter  was  already  on  the  same  side  of 
the  lake,  calling  loudly  and  angrily  to  his  dog;  but 
the  hound  seemed  to  have  quite  forgotten  his  master’s 
voice  in  the  pitiless  pursuit.  The  fawn  reached  the 
shore : with  a leap  it  had  crossed  the  narrow  strip  of 
beach,  and  in  another  instant  it  would  reach  the  cover 
of  the  woods. 


174 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


9.  The  hound  followed  true  to  the  scent,  pointing  to 
the  same  spot  on  the  shore;  his  master,  anxious  to 
meet  him,  had  run  at  full  speed,  and  was  now  coming 
up  at  the  same  critical  moment.  Will  the  dog  listen 
to  his  voice?  or  can  the  hunter  reach  him  in  time  to 
seize  and  control  him?  A shout  from  the  bank  told 
that  the  fawn  had  passed  out  of  sight  into  the  forest. 
At  the  same  instant,  the  hound,  as  he  touched  the 
land,  felt  the  hunter’s  strong  arm  clutching  his  neck. 
The  worst  was  believed  to  be  over;  the  fawn  was  leap- 
ing up  the  mountain-side,  and  its  enemy  was  re- 
strained. The  other  dogs,  seeing  their  leader  cowed, 
were  easily  managed. 

10.  A number  of  persons,  men  and  boys,  dispersed 
themselves  through  the  woods  in  search  of  the  little 
creature,  but  without  success;  they  all  returned  to  the 
village,  reporting  that  the  fawn  had  not  been  seen. 
Some  thought  that  after  its  fright  had  passed  it 
would  return  of  its  own  accord.  It  wore  a pretty 
collar  with  its  owner’s  name  engraved  upon  it,  so  that 
it  could  be  easily  known  from  any  other  fawn  that 
might  be  straying  about  the  woods. 

11.  Before  many  hours  had  passed,  a hunter  pre- 
sented himself  to  the  lady  whose  pet  the  little  creature 
had  been,  and  showed  a collar  with  her  name  upon  it. 
He  said  that  he  was  out  hunting  in  the  morning,  and 
saw  a fawn  in  the  distance.  The  little  pet,  instead  of 
bounding  away,  as  he  expected,  moved  toward  him:  he 
took  aim,  fired,  and  shot  it  through  the  heart. 

Definitions. — 1.  Fawn,  a young  deer.  Ca-r&ssed',  fondled , 
petted.  3.  Di-lat'ed,  extended , spread  out.  4.  Spee-ta/torg,  those 
who  look  on.  6.  In-ter-ggpt7,  to  stop , to  seize.  7.  Be-trayed', 
showed.  8.  In-t&nse',  extreme.  9.  SgSnt,  track  followed  by  the 
sense  of  smell.  Cowed,  made  afraid. 


FOURTH  READER. 


175 


LXIV.  ANNIE’S  DREAM. 

1.  It  was  a clear,  cold,  winter  evening,  and  all  the 
Sinclairs  but  Annie  had  gone  out  for  a neighborly 
visit.  She  had  resolved  to  stay  at  home  and  study  a 
long,  difficult  lesson  in  Natural  Philosophy. 

2.  Left  to  herself,  the  evening  passed  quickly,  but 
the  lesson  was  learned  a full  half  hour  before  the  time 
set  for  the  family  to  come  home. 

3.  Closing  her  book,  she  leaned  back  in  the  soft 
arm-chair  in  which  she  was  sitting,  soon  fell  asleep, 
and  began  to  dream.  She  dreamed  that  it  was  a very 
cold  morning,  and  that  she  was  standing  by  the  din- 
ing-room stove,  looking  into  the  glass  basin  which  was 
every  day  filled  with  water  for  evaporation. 

4.  “ Oh,  dear,”  she  sighed,  “ it  is  nearly  school- 
time.  I don’t  want  to  go  out  in  the  cold  this  morn- 
ing. Then  there  is  that  long  lesson.  I wonder  if  I 
can  say  it.  Let  me  see — it  takes  two  hundred  and 
twelve  degrees  of  heat,  I believe,  for  water  to  evap- 
orate— ” 

5.  “ Nonsense!”  “ Ridiculous ! ” shouted  a chorus 
of  strange  little  voices  near  by;  “Look  here!  is  this 
water  boiling?  What  an  idea;  two  hundred  and 
twelve  degrees  before  we  can  fly,  ha,  ha ! ” 

6.  “Who  are  you?”  asked  Annie,  in  amazement. 
“Where  must  I look?”  “In  the  basin,  of  course.” 

7.  Annie  looked,  and  saw  a multitude  of  tiny  forms 
moving  swiftly  around,  their  numbers  increasing  as  the 
heat  of  the  fire  increased.  “ Why,  you  dear  little 
things!”  said  she,  “what  are  you  doing  down  there?” 

8.  “We  are  water-sprites,”  answered  one,  in  the 
clearest  voice  that  can  be  imagined,  “and  when  this 


176 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


delightful  warmth  comes  all  about  us,  we  become  so 
light  that  we  fly  off,  as  you  see.” 

9.  In  another  moment  he  had  joined  a crowd  of  his 
companions  that  were  spreading  their  wings  and  flying 
off  in  curling,  white  clouds  over  Annie’s  head.  But 
they  were  so  light  and  thin  that  they  soon  disappeared 
in  the  air. 

10.  She  could  not  see  where  they  went,  so  she  again 
turned  to  the  basin.  “ Does  n’t  it  hurt  you,”  she 
asked  one,  “to  be  heated — ?”  “Not  always  to  two 
hundred  and  twelve,”  said  the  sprite,  mischievously. 

11.  “No,  no,”  replied  Annie,  half-vexed;  “I  re- 
member, that  is  boiling  point  — but  I mean,  to  be 
heated  as  you  all  are,  and  then  to  fly  off  in  the 
cold?” 

12.  “Oh,  no,”  laughed  the  little  sprite;  “we  like 
it.  We  are  made  to  change  by  God’s  wise  laws,  and 
so  it  can’t  hurt  us.  We  are  all  the  time  at  work,  in 
our  way,  taking  different  shapes.  It  is  good  for  us. 
If  you  will  go  to  the  window,  you  will  find  some  of 
my  brothers  and  sisters  on  the  glass.” 

13.  Annie  went  to  the  window,  and  at  first  could 
see  nothing  but  some  beautiful  frost-work  on  it. 
Soon,  however,  the  panes  seemed  to  swarm  with  little 
folks.  Their  wings  were  as  white  as  snow,  and 
sparkled  with  ice-jewels. 

14.  “Oh,”  cried  Annie,  “this  is  the  prettiest  sight 
I ever  saw.  What  is  your  name,  darling?”  she  asked 
one  that  wore  a crown  of  snow-roses.  The  little  voice 
that  replied  was  so  sharp  and  fine  that  Annie  thought 
it  seemed  like  a needle-point  of  sound,  and  she  began 
to  laugh. 

15.  “ Fine-frost  is  our  family  name,”  it  said.  “ I 
have  a first  name  of  my  own,  but  I shall  not  tell  you 


FOURTH  READER. 


177 


what  it  is,  for  you  are  so  impolite  as  to  laugh  at 
me.” 

16.  “I  beg  your  pardon,  dear,”  said  Annie;  “I 
could  not  help  it.  I will  not  laugh  at  you  any  more 
if  you  will  tell  me  how  you  came  here.  I have  been 
talking  with  one  of  your  brothers  over  there  in  the 
basin.” 

17.  The  little  sprite  then  folded  her  wings  in  a dig- 
nified manner,  and  said,  “ I will  tell  you  all  I know 
about  it,  since  you  promise  to  be  polite.  It  is  a very 
short  story,  however. 

18.  “Last  evening  we  all  escaped  from  the  glass 
basin,  as  you  have  seen  our  companions  do  this  morn- 
ing. Oh,  how  light  and  free  we  felt!  But  we  were 
so  very  delicate  and  thin  that  no  one  saw  us  as  we 
flew  about  in  the  air  of  the  room. 

19.  “After  a while  I flew  with  these  others  to  this 
window,  and,  as  we  alighted  on  the  glass,  the  cold 
changed  us  from  water-sprites  into  sprites  of  the  Fine- 
frost  family.”  “ It  is  very  wonderful,”  said  Annie. 
“Is  it  nice  to  be  a sprite?” 

20.  “Oh,  yes,  we  are  very  gay.  All  last  night  we 
had  a fine  time  sparkling  in  the  moonlight.  I wore  a 
long  wreath  full  of  ice-pearls  and  diamonds.  Here  is 
a piece  of  it.  Before  long  we  shall  be  water-sprites 
again.  I see  the  sun  is  coming  this  way.” 

21.  “Shall  you  dread  to  be  melted?”  inquired 
Annie.  “ No,  indeed,”  answered  the  sprite.  “ I like 
to  change  my  form  now  and  then.” 

22.  A thought  flashed  across  Annie’s  brain.  What 
if  she  should  breathe  on  the  frost  and  not  wait  for 
the  sun  to  melt  it.  In  a moment  more  she  had  done 
so.  Down  fell  a great  number  of  the  tiny  mountains 

and  castles,  carrying  with  them  a multitude  of  frost 
(4.-12.) 


178 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


sprites, ' and  all  that  could  be  seen  was  a drop  of 
water  on  the  window-sill. 

23.  “Oh,  dear!  have  I hurt  them?”  she  exclaimed. 
“No,  no,”  replied  a chorus  of  many  small  voices  from 
the  drop  of  water,  “ we  are  only  water-sprites  again. 
Nothing  hurts  us;  we  merely  change.”  “But  you  are 
always  pretty  little  things,”  said  Annie.  “I  wish  — ” 

24.  Here  a ring  at  the  door-bell  woke  Annie.  She 
started  up  to  find  the  family  had  returned  from  their 
visit,  which  all  declared  was  a delightful  one.  But 
Annie  said  she  did  not  believe  they  had  enjoyed  their 
visit  better  than  she  had  her  half-hour’s  dream. 

Definitions.  — 1.  Nat'ii-ral  Phi-l6s/o-pliy,  the  study  which 
teaches  about  the  laws  of  matter  in  nature.  £.  E-vap-o-ra'tion,  the 
act  of  turning  into  vapor.  4.  De-gree',  a division  of  space  marked 
on  an  instrument  such  as  a thermometer . 8.  Wa/ter-sprlte,  a spirit 

or  fairy  living  in  the  water.  10.  Mis'chiev-ous-ly,  in  a teasing 
manner.  13.  Swarm,  to  be  crowded.  18.  Es-caped',  got  away , fled. 


LXV.  MY  GHOST. 


By  Mrs.  S.  M.  B.  Piatt,  who  was  born  near  Lexington,  Ky.,  in  1836. 
Among  her  published  works  may  be  mentioned  ‘‘The  Nests  at  Wash- 
ington, and  Other  Poems,”  and  “ A Woman’s  Poems.” 


1.  Yes,  Katie,  I think  you  are  very  sweet, 

Now  that  the  tangles  are  out  of  your  hair, 

And  you  sing  as  well  as  the  birds  you  meet, 

That  are  playing,  like  you,  in  the  blossoms  there. 
But  now  you  are  coming  to  kiss  me,  you  say: 
Well,  what  is  it  for?  Shall  I tie  your  shoe? 

Or  loop  up  your  sleeve  in  a prettier  way? 

“Do  I know  about  ghosts?”  Indeed  I do. 


FOURTH  READER. 


179 


2.  “Have  I seen  one?”  Yes;  last  evening,  you  know, 
We  were  taking  a walk  that  you  had  to  miss, 

(I  think  you  were  naughty,  and  cried  to  go, 

But,  surely,  you’ll  stay  at  home  after  this!) 

And,  away  in  the  twilight,  lonesomely, 

(“What  is  the  twilight?”  It’s — getting  late!) 

I was  thinking  of  things  that  were  sad  to  me! — 
There,  hush ! you  know  nothing  about  them,  Kate. 


3.  Well,  we  had  to  go  through  the  rocky  lane, 

Close  to  that  bridge  where  the  water  roars, 

By  a still,  red  house,  where  the  dark  and  rain 
Go  in  when  they  will  at  the  open  doors. 

And  the  moon,  that  had  just  waked  up,  looked 
through 

The  broken  old  windows,  and  seemed  afraid, 

And  the  wild  bats  flew,  and  the  thistles  grew 
Where  once  in  the  roses  the  children  played. 


4.  Just  across  the  road  by  the  cherry-trees 

Some  fallen  white  stones  had  been  lying  so  long, 
Half  hid  in  the  grass,  and  under  these 

There  were  people  dead.  I could  hear  the  song 
Of  a very  sleepy  dove  as  I passed 

The  graveyard  near,  and  the  cricket  that  cried; 
And  I look’d  (ah!  the  Ghost  is  coming  at  last!) 
And  something  was  walking  at  my  side. 


5.  It  seemed  to  be  wrapped  in  a great  dark  shawl 
(For  the  night  was  a little  cold,  you  know,) ; 
It  would  not  speak.  It  was  black  and  tall; 
And  it  walked  so  proudly  and  very  slow. 


180 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


Then  it  mocked  me  every  thing  I could  do: 

Now  it  caught  at  the  lightning-flies  like  me; 
Now  it  stopped  where  the  elder-blossoms  grew; 
Now  it  tore  the  thorns  from  a gray  bent  tree. 

6.  Still  it  followed  me  under  the  yellow  moon, 

Looking  back  to  the  graveyard  now  and  then, 
Where  the  winds  were  playing  the  night  a tune — 
But,  Kate,  a Ghost  doesn’t  care  for  men, 

And  your  papa  couldn’t  have  done  it  harm. 

Ah!  dark-eyed  darling,  what  is  it  you  see? 
There,  you  needn’t  hide  in  your  dimpled  arm — 

It  was  only  my  shadow  that  walk’d  with  me! 


LXVI.  THE  ELEPHANT. 

1.  The  elephant  is  the  largest  of  quadrupeds;  his 
height  is  from  eight  to  fourteen  feet,  and  his  length, 
from  ten  to  fifteen  feet.  His  form  is  that  of  a hog; 
his  eyes  are  small  and  lively;  his  ears  are  long,  broad 
and  pendulous.  He  has  two  large  tusks,  which  form 
the  ivory  of  commerce,  and  a trunk,  or  proboscis,  at 
the  end  of  the  nose,  which  he  uses  to  take  his  food 
with,  and  for  attack  or  defense.  His  color  is  a dark 
ash-brown. 

2.  Elephants  often  assemble  in  large  troops;  and,  as 
they  march  in  search  of  food,  the  forests  seem  to  trem- 
ble under  them.  They  eat  the  branches  of  trees,  to- 
gether with  roots,  herbs,  leaves,  grain,  and  fruit/  but 
will  not  touch  fish  nor  flesh.  In  a state  of  nature, 
they  are  peaceable,  mild,  and  brave;  exerting  their 


FOURTH  READER. 


181 


power  only  for  their  own  protection  or  in  defense  of 
their  own  species. 

3.  Elephants  are  found  both  in  Asia  and  Africa, 
but  they  are  of  different  species,  the  Asiatic  elephant 
having  five  toes,  and  the  African,  three.  These  ani- 
mals are  caught  by  stratagem,  and,  when  tamed,  they 
are  the  most  gentle,  obedient,  and  patient,  as  well  as 
the  most  docile  and  sagacious  of  all  quadrupeds.  They 
are  used  to  carry  burdens,  and  for  traveling.  Their 
attachment  to  their  masters  is  remarkable ; and  they 
seem  to  live  but  to  serve  and  obey  them.  They 
always  kneel  to  receive  their  riders  or  the  loads  they 
have  to  carry. 

4.  The  anecdotes  illustrating  the  character  of  the 
elephant  are  numerous.  An  elephant  which  was  kept 
for  exhibition  at  London,  was  often  required,  as  is 
usual  in  such  exhibitions,  to  pick  up  with  his  trunk  a 
piece  of  money  thrown  upon  the  floor  for  this  purpose. 
On  one  occasion  a sixpence  was  thrown,  which  hap- 
pened to  roll  a little  out  of  his  reach,  not  far  from  the 
wall.  Being  desired  to  pick  it  up,  he  stretched  out 
his  proboscis  several  times  to  reach  it;  failing  in  this, 
he  stood  motionless  a few  seconds,  evidently  consider- 
ing how  to  act. 

5.  He  then  stretched  his  proboscis  in  a straight  line 
as  far  as  he  could,  a little  distance  above  the  coin,  and 
blew’  with  great  force  against  the  wall.  The  angle 
produced  by  the  opposition  of  the  wall,  made  the  cur- 
rent of  air  act  under  the  coin,  as  he  evidently  sup- 
posed it  would,  and  it  was  curious  to  observe  the  six- 
pence traveling  toward  the  animal  till  it  came  within 
his  reach,  when  he  picked  it  up. 

6.  A soldier  in  India,  who  had  frequently  carried  an 
elephant  some  arrack,  being  one  day  intoxicated,  and 


182 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


seeing  himself  pursued  by  the  guard  whose  orders 
were  to  conduct  him  to  prison,  took  refuge  under  the 
elephant.  The  guard  soon  finding  his  retreat,  at- 
tempted in  vain  to  take  him  from  his  asylum;  for  the 
elephant  vigorously  defended  him  with  his  trunk. 

7.  As  soon  as  the  soldier  became  sober,  and  saw 
himself  placed  under  such  an  unwieldy  animal,  he  was 
so  terrified  that  he  scarcely  durst  move  either  hand  or 
foot;  but  the  elephant  soon  caused  his  fears  to  subside 
by  caressing  him  with  his  trunk,  and  thus  tacitly  say- 
ing, “ Depart  in  peace.” 

8.  A pleasing  anecdote  is  related  of  an  elephant 
which  was  the  property  of  the  nabob  of  Lucknow. 
There  was  in  that  city  an  epidemic  disorder,  making 
dreadful  havoc  among  the  inhabitants.  The  road  to 
the  palace  gate  was  covered  with  the  sick  and  dying, 
lying  on  the  ground  at  the  moment  the  nabob  was 
about  to  pass. 

9.  Regardless  of  the  suffering  he  must  cause,  the 
nabob  held  on  his  way,  not  caring  whether  his  beast 
trod  upon  the  poor  helpless  creatures  or  not.  But  the 
animal,  more  kind-hearted  than  his  master,  carefully 
cleared  the  path  of  the  poor,  helpless  wretches  as  he 
went  along.  Some  he  lifted  with  his  trunk,  entirely 
out  of  the  road.  Some  he  set  upon  their  feet,  and 
among  the  others  he  stepped  so  carefully  that  not  an 
individual  was  injured. 

Definitions. — 1.  Quad'ru-ped,  an  animal  having  four  feet. 
P^nd'd-lous,  hanging  down.  C6m/ mer9e,  trade.  Pro-bfts'cis, 
snout , trunk.  3.  Str&t'a-gem,  artifice.  D6£/ile,  teachable.  6.  Ar'- 
rack,  a spirituous  liquor  made  from  the  juice  of  the  cocoa-nut . 
A-sy'lum,  a refuge.  7.  Un-wield/y,  heavy , unmanageable.  Ta^- 
it-ly,  silently.  8.  Ep-i-dSm'ie,  affecting  many  people . Na/bob,  a 
prince  in  India. 


FOURTH  READER.  183 


LXVII.  DARE  TO  DO  RIGHT. 

Adapted  from  “ School  Days  at  Rugby,”  by  Thomas  Hughes,  an  En- 
glish writer  well  known  through  this  book,  and  its  sequel,  “Tom 
Brown  at  Oxford.’’  The  author  was  born  in  1823. 

1.  The  little  school-boys  went  quietly  to  their  own 
beds,  and  began  undressing  and  talking  to  one  another 
in  whispers : while  the  elder,  amongst  whom  was  Tom, 
sat  chatting  about  on  one  another’s  beds,  with  their 
jackets  and  waistcoats  off. 

2.  Poor  little  Arthur  was  overwhelmed  with  the 
novelty  of  his  position.  The  idea  of  sleeping  in  the 
room  with  strange  boys  had  clearly  never  crossed  his 
mind  before,  and  was  as  painful  as  it  was  strange  to 
him.  He  could  hardly  bear  to  take  his  jacket  off; 
however,  presently,  with  an  effort,  off  it  came,  and 
then  he  paused  and  looked  at  Tom,  who  was  sitting  at 
the  bottom  of  his  bed,  talking  and  laughing. 

3.  “ Please,  Brown,”  he  whispered,  “may  I wash 
my  face  and  hands?”  “Of  course,  if  you  like,”  said 
Tom,  staring:  “that’s  your  washhand-stand  under  the 
window,  second  from  your  bed.  You’ll  have  to  go 
down  for  more  water  in  the  morning  if  you  use  it 
all.” 

4.  And  on  he  went  with  his  talk,  while  Arthur  stole 
timidly  from  between  the  beds  out  to  his  washhand- 
stand,  and  began  his  ablutions,  thereby  drawing  for  a 
moment  on  himself  the  attention  of  the  room. 

5.  On  went  the  talk  and  laughter.  Arthur  finished 
his  washing  and  undressing,  and  put  on  his  night- 
gown. He  then  looked  round  more  nervously  than 
ever.  Two  or  three  of  the  little  boys  were  already  in 
bed,  sitting  up  with  their  chins  on  their  knees.  The 
light  burned  clear,  the  noise  went  on. 


184  ECLECTIC  SERIES . 

6.  It  was  a trying  moment  for  the  poor,  little,  lonely 
boy;  however,  this  time  he  did  not  ask  Tom  what  he 
might  or  might  not  do,  but  dropped  on  his  knees  by 
his  bedside,  as  he  had  done  every  day  from  his  child- 
hood, to  open  his  heart  to  Him  who  heareth  the  cry 
and  beareth  the  sorrows  of  the  tender  child,  and  the 
strong  man  in  agony. 

7.  Tom  wras  sitting  at  the  bottom  of  his  bed  unlac- 
ing his  boots,  so  that  his  back  was  towards  Arthur, 
and  he  did  not  see  what  had  happened,  and  looked  up 
in  wonder  at  the  sudden  silence.  Then  two  or  three 
boys  laughed  and  sneered,  and  a big,  brutal  fellow, 
who  was  standing  in  the  middle  of  the  room,  picked 
up  a slipper  and  shied  , it  at  the  kneeling  boy,  calling 
him  a sniveling  young  shaver. 

8.  Then  Tom  saw  the  whole,  and  the  next  moment 
the  boot  he  had  just  pulled  off  flew  straight  at  the 
head  of  the  bully,  who  had  just  time  to  throw  up  his 
arm  and  catch  it  on  his  elbow.  “ Confound  you, 
Brown;  what’s  that  for?”  roared  he,  stamping  with 
pain.  “ Never  mind  what  I mean,”  said  Tom,  step- 
ping on  to  the  floor,  every  drop  of  blood  in  his  body 
tingling:  “if  any  fellow  wants  the  other  boot,  he 
knows  how  to  get  it.” 

9.  What  would  have  been  the  result  is  doubtful,  for 
at  this  moment  the  sixth-form  boy  came  in,  and  not 
another  word  could  be  said.  Tom  and  the  rest  rushed 
into  bed  and  finished  their  unrobing  there,  and  the 
old  janitor  had  put  out  the  candle  in  another  minute, 
and  toddled  on  to  the  next  room,  shutting  the  door 
with  his  usual,  “Good  night,  gen’Pm’n.” 

10.  There  were  many  boys  in  the  room  by  whom 
that  little  scene  was  taken  to  heart  before  they  slept. 
But  sleep  seemed  to  have  deserted  the  pillow  of  poor 


FOURTH  READER. 


185 


Tom.  For  some  time  his  excitement  and  the  flood 
of  memories  which  chased  one  another  through  his 
brain,  kept  him  from  thinking  or  resolving.  His 
head  throbbed,  his  heart  leapt,  and  he  could  hardly 
keep  himself  from  springing  out  of  bed  and  rushing 
about  the  room. 


186 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


11.  Then  the  thought  of  his  own  mother  came 
across  him,  and  the  promise  he  had  made  at  her 
knee,  years  ago,  never  to  forget  to  kneel  by  his  bed- 
side and  give  himself  up  to  his  Father  before  he  laid 
his  head  on  the  pillow,  from  which  it  might  never 
rise;  and  he  lay  down  gently,  and  cried  as  if  his 
heart  would  break.  He  was  only  fourteen  years  old. 

Definitions. — 1.  Waist'eoat,  a vest.  2.  0-ver-whelmed/,  over- 
come, cast  down.  3.  Nbv'el-ty,  newness.  4.  Ab-li^tion,  the  act 
of  washing.  7.  Sneered,  showed  contempt.  8.  BulFy,  a noisy , 
blustering  fellow , more  insolent  than  courageous.  Tir/gling,  having 
a thrilling  feeling. 

Notes. — “Bugby,”  the  scene  of  this  story,  is  a celebrated 
grammar  school  which  was  established  at  the  town  of  Bugby, 
England,  in  1567. 

9.  Sixth  form  boy.  The  school  was  graded  into  six  classes  or 
“ forms,’’  and  the  boys  of  the  highest,  or  sixth,  form  were  ex- 
pected to  keep  the  smaller  boys  under  them  in  order. 

Exercises. — What  were  Arthur’s  feelings  the  first  night  at 
Bugby?  Belate  what  happened  when  he  said  his  prayers. 
What  do  you  think  of  the  boy  who  threw  the  slipper?  Was 
Tom  right  in  defending  Arthur  from  insult? 


LXVIII.  DARE  TO  DO  RIGHT. 

(Concluded.) 

1.  It  was  no  light  act  of  courage  in  those  days  for 
a little  fellow  to  say  his  prayers  publicly,  even  at 
Rugby.  A few  years  later,  when  Arnold’s  manly 
piety  had  begun  to,  leaven  the  school,  the  tables 
turned : before  he  died,  in  the  School-house  at  least, 


FOURTH  READER. 


187 


and  I believe  in  the  other  houses,  the  rule  was  the 
other  way. 

2.  But  poor  Tom  had  come  to  school  in  other 
times.  The  first  few  nights  after  he  came  he  did  not 
kneel  down  because  of  the  noise,  but  sat  up  in  bed 
till  the  candle  was  out,  and  then  stole  out  and  said 
his  prayers,  in  fear  lest  some  one  should  find  him  out. 
So  did  many  another  poor  little  fellow. 

3.  Then  he  began  to  think  that  he  might  just  as 
well  say  his  prayers  in  bed,  and  then  that  it  did  not 
matter  whether  he  was  kneeling,  or  sitting,  or  lying 
down.  And  so  it  had  come  to  pass  with  Tom,  as 
with  all  who  will  not  confess  their  Lord  before  men; 
and  for  the  last  year  he  had  probably  not  said  his 
prayers  in  earnest  a dozen  times. 

4.  Poor  Tom!  the  first  and  bitterest  feeling,  which 
was  like  to  break  his  heart,  was  the  sense  of  his  own 
cowardice.  The  vice  of  all  others  which  he  loathed 
was  brought  in  and  burned  in  on  his  own  soul.  He 
had  lied  to  his  mother,  to  his  conscience,  to  his  God. 
How  could  he  bear  it?  And  then  the  poor,  little, 
weak  boy,  whom  he  had  pitied  and  almost  scorned 
for  his  weakness,  had  done  that  which  he,  braggart  as 
he  was,  dared  not  do. 

5.  The  first  dawn  of  comfort  came  to  him  in  vow- 
ing to  himself  that  he  would  stand  by  that  boy 
through  thick  and  thin,  and  cheer  him,  and  help  him, 
and  bear  his  burdens,  for  the  good  deed  done  that 
night.  Then  he  resolved  to  write  home  next  day  and 
tell  his  mother  all,  and  what  a coward  her  son  had 
been.  And  then  peace  came  to  him  as  he  resolved, 
lastly,  to  bear  his  testimony  next  morning. 

6.  The  morning  would  be  harder  than  the  night  to 
begin  with,  but  he  felt  that  he  could  not  afford  to  let 


188 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


one  chance  slip.  Several  times  he  faltered,  for  the 
Devil  showed  him,  first,  all  his  old  friends  calling  him 
u Saint, ” and  “ Squaretoes,”  and  a dozen  hard  names, 
and  whispered  to  him  that  his  motives  would  be  mis- 
understood, and  he  would  be  left  alone  with  the  new 
boy;  whereas,  it  was  his  duty  to  keep  all  means  of 
influence,  that  he  might  do  good  to  the  largest  num- 
ber. 

7.  And  then  came  the  more  subtle  temptation, 
“ shall  I not  be  showing  myself  braver  than  others 
by  doing  this?  Have  I any  right  to  begin  it  now? 
Ought  I not  rather  to  pray  in  my  own  study,  letting 
other  boys  know  that  I do  so,  and  trying  to  lead  them 
to  it,  while  in  public,  at  least,  I should  go  on  as  I have 
done?”  However,  his  good  angel  was  too  strong  that 
night,  and  he  turned  on  his  side  and  slept,  tired  of 
trying  to  reason,  but  resolved  to  follow  the  impulse 
which  had  been  so  strong,  and  in  which  he  had  found 
peace. 

8.  Next  morning  he  was  up  and  washed  and  dressed, 
all  but  his  jacket  and  waistcoat,  just  as  the  ten  min- 
utes5 bell  began  to  ring,  and  then  in  the  face  of  the 
whole  room  he  knelt  down  to  pray.  Not  five  words 
could  he  say, — the  bell  mocked  him;  he  was  listening 
for  every  whisper  in  the  room, — what  were  they  all 
thinking  of  him? 

9.  He  was  ashamed  to  go  on  kneeling,  ashamed  to 
rise  from  his  knees.  At  last,  as  it  were  from  his  in- 
most heart,  a still,  small  voice  seemed  to  breathe  forth 
the  words  of  the  publican,  “ God  be  merciful  to  me  a 
sinner!”  He  repeated  them  over  and  over,  clinging 
to  them  as  for  his  life,  and  rose  from  his  knees  com- 
forted and  humbled,  and  ready  to  face  the  whole 
world. 


FOURTH  READER. 


189 


10.  It  was  not  needed:  two  other  boys  besides 
Arthur  had  already  followed  his  example,  and  he  went 
down  to  the  great  school  with  a glimmering  of 
another  lesson  in  his  heart, — the  lesson  that  he  who 
has  conquered  his  own  coward  spirit  has  conquered 
the  wThole  outward  world ; and  that  other  one  which 
the  old  prophet  learned  in  the  cave  at  Mount  Horeb, 
when  he  hid  his  face,  and  the  still,  small  voice  asked, 
“What  doest  thou  here,  Elijah?” — that  however  we 
may  fancy  ourselves  alone  on  the  side  of  good,  the 
King  and  Lord  of  men  is  nowhere  without  his  wit- 
nesses; for  in  every  society,  however  seemingly  cor- 
rupt and  godless,  there  are  those  who  have  not  bowed 
the  knee  to  Baal. 

11.  He  found,  too,  how  greatly  he  had  exaggerated 
the  effect  to  be  produced  by  his  act.  For  a few 
nights  there  was  a sneer  or  a laugh  when  he  knelt 
down,  but  this  passed  off  soon,  and  one  by  one  all 
the  other  boys  but  three  or  four  followed  the  lead. 

Definitions. — 1.  Leaven,  to  make  a general  change , to  imbue . 
4.  Loathed,  hated , detested.  Braggart,  a boaster.  5.  Vow/ing, 
making  a solemn  promise  to  God.  Tes'ti-mo-ny,  open  declaration . 
6.  FaEtered,  hesitated.  Motive,  that  ivhich  causes  action , cause , 
reason.  7.  Shi/ tie  (pro.  suFl),  artful , cunning.  Stiid'y,  a private 
room  devoted  to  study.  10.  GlinEmer-ing,  a faint  view. 

Notes. — 1.  Arnold's.  Dr.  Thomas  Arnold  was  head  master  at 
Rugby  nearly  fifteen  years.  His  influence  on  the  character  of 
the  boys  was  very  marked,  and  soon  made  the  school  celebrated 
throughout  England. 

The  School-house  was  the  name  of  one  of  the  numerous  build- 
ings belonging  to  Rugby. 

Exercises. — Relate  Tom’s  early  experience  at  Rugby.  Was 
it  courageous  in  him  to  stop  saying  his  prayers?  How  did  he 
feel  over,  it?  What  did  he  resolve  to  do?  Did  he  carry  out 
his  resolve?  What  two  lessons  was  he  taught? 


190 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


LXIX.  THE  WRECK  OF  THE  HESPERUS. 

By  Henry  Wadsworth  Longfellow,  one  of  the  greatest  of  American 
poets.  He  was  born  in  Portland,  Me.,  in  1807.  For  some  years  he  held 
the  professorship  of  Modern  Languages  in  Bowdoin  College,  and  later 
a similar  professorship  in  Harvard  College.  He  died  March  24th,  1882. 

1.  It  was  the  schooner  Hesperus, 

That  sailed  the  wintry  sea; 

And  the  skipper  had  taken  his  little  daughter, 
To  bear  him  company. 

2.  Blue  were  her  eyes  as  the  fairy-flax, 

Her  cheeks  like  the  dawn  of  day, 

And  her  bosom  white  as  the  hawthorn  buds, 
That  ope  in  the  month  of  May. 

3.  The  skipper,  he  stood  beside  the  helm, 

His  pipe  was  in  his  mouth, 

And  he  watched  how  the  veering  flaw  did  blow 
The  smoke  now  west,  now  south. 

4.  Then  up  and  spake  an  old  sailor, 

Had  sailed  to  the  Spanish  Main, 

“ I pray  thee,  put  into  yonder  port, 

For  I fear  the  hurricane. 

5.  “Last  night,  the  moon  had  a golden  ring, 

And  to-night  no  moon  we  see!” 

The  skipper,  he  blew  a whiff  from  his  pipe, 

And  a scornful  laugh  laughed  he. 

6.  Colder  and  louder  blew  the  wind, 

A gale  from  the  north-east; 

The  snow  fell  hissing  in  the  brine, 

And  the  billows  frothed  like  yeast. 


FOURTH  READER. 


191 


7.  Down  came  the  storm,  and  smote  amain 

The  vessel  in  its  strength; 

She  shuddered  and  paused,  like  a frighted  steed, 
Then  leaped  her  cable’s  length. 

8.  “Come  hither!  come  hither!  my  little  daughter, 

And  dc  not  tremble  so; 

For  I can  weather  the  roughest  gale 
That  ever  wind  did  blow.” 

9.  He  wrapped  her  warm  in  his  seaman’s  coat, 

Against  the  stinging  blast: 

He  cut  a rope  from  a broken  spar, 

And  bound  her  to  the  mast. 

10.  “O  father!  I hear  the  church  bells  ring, 

Oh  say,  what  may  it  be?” 

“ ’T  is  a fog-bell  on  a rock-bound  coast ! ” — 

And  he  steered  for  the  open  sea. 

11.  “O  father!  I hear  the  sound  of  guns, 

Oh  say,  what  may  it  be?” 

“Some  ship  in  distress,  that  can  not  live 
In  such  an  angry  sea!” 

12.  “O  father!  I see  a gleaming  light, 

Oh  say,  what  may  it  be?” 

But  the  father  answered  never  a word, 

A frozen  corpse  was  he. 

13.  Lashed  to  the  helm,  all  stiff  and  stark, 

With  his  face  turned  to  the  skies, 

The  lantern  gleamed  through  the  gleaming  snow 
On  his  fixed  and  glassy  eyes. 


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ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


14.  Then  the  maiden  clasped  her  hands,  and  prayed 

That  saved  she  might  be; 

And  she  thought  of  Christ,  who  stilled  the  wave 
On  the  lake  of  Galilee. 

15.  And  fast  through  the  midnight  dark  and  drear, 

Through  the  whistling  sleet  and  snow, 

Like  a sheeted  ghost,  the  vessel  swept 
Towards  the  reef  of  Norma  As  Woe. 

16.  And  ever  the  fitful  gusts  between 

A sound  came  from  the  land: 

It  was  the  sound  of  the  trampling  surf 
On  the  rocks  and  the  hard  sea-sand. 

17.  The  breakers  were  right  beneath  her  bows, 

She  drifted  a dreary  wreck, 

And  a whooping  billow  swept  the  crew 
Like  icicles  from  her  deck. 

18.  She  struck  where  the  white  and  fleecy  waves 

Looked  soft  as  carded  wool, 

But  the  cruel  rocks,  they  gored  her  side 
Like  the  horns  of  an  angry  bull. 

19.  Her  rattling  shrouds,  all  sheathed  in  ice, 

With  the  masts,  went  by  the  board; 

Like  a vessel  of  glass,  she  stove  and  sank, — 

Ho!  ho!  the  breakers  roared! 

20.  At  daybreak,  on  the  bleak  sea-beach, 

A fisherman  stood  aghast, 

To  see  the  form  of  a maiden  fair 
Lashed  close  to  a drifting  mast. 


FOURTH  READER. 


193 


21.  The  salt  sea  was  frozen  on  her  breast, 

The  salt  tears  in  her  eyes; 

And  he  saw  her  hair,  like  the  brown  sea-weed, 
On  the  billows  fall  and  rise. 

22.  Such  was  the  wreck  of  the  Hesperus 

In  the  midnight  and  the  snow : 

Heav’n  save  us  all  from  a death  like  this 
On  the  reef  of  Norman’s  Woe ! 

Definitions. — 1.  Skip'per,  the  master  of  a small  merchant  ves- 
sel. 3.  Veering,  changing.  Flaw,  a sudden  gust  of  wind.  4. 
Port,  harbor.  6.  Brine,  the  sea.  7.  A-main/,  with  sudden  force. 
8.  Weather,  to  endure , to  resist.  9.  Spar,  a long  beam.  13. 
Helm,  the  instrument  by  which  a ship  is  steered.  18.  Carcfed, 
cleaned  by  combing.  19.  Shroudg,  sets  of  ropes  reaching  from  the 
mast-heads  to  the  sides  of  a vessel  to  support  the  masts.  Stove, 
broke  in. 

Notes. — This  piece  is  written  in  the  style  of  the  old  English 
ballads.  The  syllables  marked  ( v ) have  a peculiar  accent  not 
usually  allowed. 

4.  The  Spanish  Main  was  the  name  formerly  applied  to  the 
southern  part  of  the  Caribbean  Sea  and  its  adjacent  coasts. 

15.  The  reef  of  Norman's  Woe.  A dangerous  ledge  of  rocks 
on  the  Massachusetts  coast,  near  Gloucester  harbor. 

19.  Went  by  the  board.  A sailor’s  expression,  meaning  “ fell 
over  the  side  of  the  vessel.” 


LXX.  ANECDOTEo  OF  BIRDS. 

1.  I had  once  a favorite  black  hen,  “a  great 
beauty,”  as  she  was  called  by  every  one,  and  so  I 
thought  her;  her  feathers  were  so  jetty,  and  her  top- 
ping so  white  and  full!  She  knew  my  voice  as  well 

as  any  dog,  and  used  to  run  cackling  and  bustling  to 

(!.  -13.) 


194 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


my  hand  to  receive  the  fragments  that  I never  failed 
to  collect  from  the  breakfast  table  for  “ Yarico,”  as 
she  was  called. 

2.  Yarico,  by  the  time  she  was  a year  old,  hatched 
a respectable  family  of  chickens;  little,  cowering, 
timid  things  at  first,  but,  in  due  time,  they  became 
fine  chubby  ones;  and  old  Norah  said,  “If  I could 
only  keep  Yarico  out  of  the  copse,  it  would  do;  but 
the  copse  is  full  of  weasels  and  of  foxes. 

3.  “I  have  driven  her  back  twenty  times;  but  she 
watches  till  some  one  goes  out  of  the  gate,  and  then 
she’s  off  again.  It  is  always  the  case  with  young 
hens,  Miss;  they  think  they  know  better  than  their 
keepers;  and  nothing  cures  them  but  losing  a brood 
or  two  of  chickens.”  I have  often  thought  since  that 
young  people,  as  well  as  young  hens,  buy  their  expe- 
rience equally  dear. 

4.  One  morning,  after  breakfast,  I went  to  seek  my 
favorite  in  the  poultry-yard;  plenty  of  hens  were 
there,  but  no  Yarico.  The  gate  was  open,  and,  as  I 
concluded  she  had  sought  the  forbidden  copse,  I pro- 
ceeded there,  accompanied  by  the  yard-mastiif,  a noble 
fellow,  steady  and  sagacious  as  a judge. 

5.  At  the  end  of  a lane,  flanked  on  one  side  by  a 
quickset  hedge,  on  the  other  by  a wild  common,  what 
was  called  the  copse  commenced;  but  before  I arrived 
near  the  spot  I heard  a loud  and  tremendous  cackling, 
and  met  two  young,  long-legged  pullets,  running  with 
both  wings  and  feet  toward  home.  Jock  pricked  up 
his  sharp  ears,  and  would  have  set  off  at  full  gallop  to 
the  copse;  but  I restrained  him,  hastening  onward, 
however,  at  the  top  of  my  speed,  thinking  I had  a i 
good  a right  to  see  what  was  the  matter  as  Jock. 

6.  Poor  Yarico!  An  impertinent  fox-cub.  had  at- 


FOURTH  READER . 


195 


tempted  to  carry  off  one  of  her  children;  but  she  had 
managed  to  get  them  behind  her  in  the  hedge,  and 
venturing  boldly  forth  had  placed  herself  in  front, 
and  positively  kept  the  impudent  animal  at  bay.  His 
desire  for  plunder  had  prevented  his  noticing  our 
approach,  and  Jock  soon  made  him  feel  the  superior- 
ity of  an  English  mastiff  over  a cub-fox. 

7.  The  most  interesting  portion  of  my  tale  is  to 
come.  Yarico  not  only  never  afterward  ventured  to 
the  copse,  but  formed  a strong  friendship  for  the  dog 
which  had  preserved  her  family.  Whenever  he  ap- 
peared in  the  yard,  she  would  run  to  meet  him,  prat- 
ing and  clucking  all  the  time,  and  impeding  his  prog- 
ress by  walking  between  his  legs,  to  his  no  small 
annoyance.  If  any  other  dog  entered  the  yard,  she 
would  fly  at  him  most  furiously,  thinking,  perhaps, 
that  he  would  injure  her  chickens;  but  she  evidently 
considered  Jock  her  especial  protector,  and  treated 
him  accordingly. 

8.  It  was  very  droll  to  see  the  peculiar  look  with 

which  he  regarded  his  feathered  friend ; not  knowing 
exactly  what  to  make  of  her  civilities,  and  doubting 
how  they  should  be  received.  When  her  family  were 
educated,  and  able  to  do  without  her  care,  she  was  a 
frequent  visitor  at  Jock’s  kennel,  and  would,  if  per- 
mitted, roost  there  at  night,  instead  of  returning  with 
the  rest  of  the  poultry  to  the  hen-house.  Yarico  cer- 
tainly was  a most  grateful  and  interesting  bird.  * * 

9.  One  could  almost  believe  a parrot  had  intellect,^ 

when  he  keeps  up  a conversation  so  spiritedly;  and  it 
is  certainly  singular  to  observe  how  accurately  a well- 
trained  bird  will  apply  his  knowledge.  A friend  of 
mine  knew  one  that  had  been  taught  many  sentences; 
thus,  “ Sally,  Poll  wants  her  breakfast ! 99  “ Sally, 


196 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


Poll  wants  her  tea!”  but  she  never  mistook  the  one 
for  the  other;  breakfast  was  invariably*  demanded  in 
the  morning,  and  tea  in  the  afternoon;  and  she  always 
hailed  her  master,  but  no  one  else,  by  “How  do  you 
do,  Mr.  A?” 

10.  She  was  a most  amusing  bird,  and  could  whistle 

dogs,  which  she  had  great  pleasure  in  doing.  She 
would  drop  bread  out  of  her  cage, as  she  hung  at  the 
street  door,  and  whistle  a number  about  her,  and 
then,  just  as  they  were  going  to  possess  themselves  of 
her  bounty,  utter  a shrill  scream  of  “Get  out,  dogs!” 
with  such  vehemence  and  authority  as  dispersed  the 
assembled  company  without  a morsel,  to  her  infinite 
delight.  * * * 

11.  How  wonderful  is  that  instinct  by  which  the 
bird  of  passage  performs  its  annual  migration!  But 
how  still  more  wonderful  is  it  when  the  bird,  after  its 
voyage  of  thousands  of  miles  has  been  performed,  and 
new  lands  visited,  returns  to  the  precise  window  or 
eaves  where,  the  summer  before,  it  first  enjoyed  exist- 
ence! And  yet,  such  is  unquestionably  the  fact. 

12.  Four  brothers  had  watched  with  indignation  the 
felonious  attempts  of  a sparrow  to  possess  himself  of 
the  nest  of  a house-martin,  in  which  lay  its  young 
brood  of  four  unfledged  birds. 

13.  The  little  fellows  considered  themselves  as  cham- 
pions for  the  bird  which  had  come  over  land  and  sea, 
and  chosen;  its  shelter  under  their  mother’s  roof.  They 
therefore  marshaled  themselves  with  blow-guns,  to 
eiecute  summary  vengeance;  but  their  well-meant  en- 
deavors brought  destruction  upon  the  mud-built  dom- 
icile they  wished  to  defend.  Their  artillery  loosened 
the  foundations,  and  down  it  came,  precipitating  its 
four  little  inmates  to  the  ground.  The  mother  of  the 


FOURTH  READER . 


197 


children,  Good  Samaritan-like,  replaced  the  little  out- 
casts in  their  nest,  and  set  it  in  the  open  window  of 
an  unoccupied  chamber. 

14.  The  parent-birds,  after  the  first  terror  was  over, 
did  not  appear  disconcerted  by  the  change  of  situa- 
tion, but  hourly  fed  their  young  as  usual,  and  testi- 
fied, by  their  unwearied  twitter  of  pleasure,  the  satis- 
faction and  confidence  they  felt.  There  the  young 
birds  were  duly  fledged,  and  from  that  window  they 
began  their  flight,  and  entered  upon  life. 

15.  The  next  spring,  with  the  re-appearance  of  the 
martins,  came  four,  which  familiarly  flew  into  the 
chamber,  visited  all  the  walls,  and  expressed  their 
recognition  by  the  most  clamorous  twitterings  of  joy. 
They  were,  without  question,  the  very  birds  that  had 
been  bred  there  the  preceding  year. 

Definitions. — 2.  Copse,  a grove  of  small  trees  or  bushes . 4. 
Sa-ga/cious,  guide  in  discernment.  6.  Im-per/ti-nent,  rude,  intru- 
sive. 8.  Kernel,  a place  for  dogs.  10.  Ve'he-me^e,  force . 11. 

Ml-gra/tion,  change  of  place , removal.  12.  Fe4o/ni-ous,  criminal. 
13.  DomTgile,  the  home  or  residence  of  any  one.  Ar-tiFler-y, 
weapons  of  warfare.  14.  Dis-eon^ert/ed,  interrupted , confused . 
15.  RSc-og-nFtion,  recollection  of  a former  acquaintance. 


LXXI.  THE  RAINBOW-PILGRIMAGE. 

By  Sara  J.  Lippincott,  born  at  Onondaga,  N.  Y.,  of  New  England 
parentage.  Under  the  name  of  “Grace  Greenwood”  she  has  written 
many  charming  stories  for  children.  Some  of  her  best  sketches  are  in 
“Records  of  Five  Years.” 


1.  One  summer  afternoon,  when  I was  about  eight 
years  of  age,  I was  standing  at  an  eastern  window, 
looking  at  a beautiful  rainbow  that,  bending  from  the 


198 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


sky,  seemed  to  be  losing  itself  in  a thick,  swampy 
wood  about  a quarter  of  a mile  distant. 

2.  It  happened  that  no  one  was  in  the  room  with 
me  then  but  my  brother  Rufus,  who  was  just  recover- 
ing from  a severe  illness,  and  was  sitting,  propped  up 
with  pillows,  in  an  easy-chair,  looking  out,  with  me,  at 
the  rainbow. 

3.  “ See,  brother,”  I said,  “ it  drops  right  down 
among  the  cedars,  where  we  go  in  the  spring  to  find 
winter-greens ! ” 

4.  “ Do  you  know,  Grade,”  said  my  brother,  with 
a very  serious  face,  “that  if  you  should  go  to  the  end 
of  the  rainbow,  you  would  find  there  purses  filled 
with  money,  and  great  pots  of  gold  and  silver?” 

5.  “Is  it  truly  so?”  I asked. 

6.  “Truly  so,”  answered  my  brother,  with  a smile. 
Now,  I was  a simple-hearted  child  who  believed 
every  thing  that  was  told  me,  although  I was  again 
and  again  imposed  upon;  so,  without  another  word, 
I darted  out  of  the  door,  and  set  forth . toward  the 
wood.  My  brother  called  after  me  as  loudly  as  he 
was  able,  but  I did  not  heed  him. 

7.  I cared  nothing  for  the  wet  grass,  which  was 
sadly  drabbling  my  clean  frock, — on  and  on  I ran:  I 
was  so  sure  that  I knew  just  where  that  rainbow 
ended.  I remember  how  glad  and  proud  I was  in 
my  thoughts,  and  what  fine  presents  I promised  to  all 
my  friends  out  of  my  great  riches. 

8.  So  thinking,  and  laying  delightful  plans,  almost 
before  I knew  it  I had  reached  the  cedar  grove,  and 
the  end  of  the  rainbow  was  not  there!  But  I saw  it 
shining  down  among  the  trees  a little  farther  off;  so 
on  and  on  I struggled,  through  the  thick  bushes  and 
over  logs,  till  I came  within  the  sound  of  a stream 


I 


FOURTH  READER. 


199 


which  ran  through  the  swamp.  Then  I thought, 
“What  if  the  rainbow  should  come  down  right  in  the 
middle  of  that  deep,  muddy  brook 

9.  Ah!  but  I was  frightened  for  my  heavy  pots  of 
gold  and  silver,  and  my  purses  of  money.  How 
should  I ever  find  them  there?  and  what  a time  I 
should  have  getting  them  out!  I reached  the  bank  of 
the  stream,  and  “the  end  was  not  yet.”  But  I could 
see  it  a little  way  off  on  the  other  side.  I crossed  the 
creek  on  a fallen  tree,  and  still  ran  on,  though  my 
limbs  seemed  to  give  way,  and  my  side  ached  with 
fatigue. 

10.  The  woods  grew  thicker  and  darker,  the  ground 
more  wet  and  swampy,  and  I found,  as  many  grown 
people  had  found  before  me,  - that  there  was  rather 
hard  traveling  in  a journey  after  riches.  Suddenly  I 
met  in  my  way  a large  porcupine,  who  made  himself 
still  larger  when  he  saw  me,  as  a cross  cat  raises  its 
back  and  makes  tails  at  a dog.  Fearing  that  he 
would  shoot  his  sharp  quills  at  me,  I ran  from  him 
as  fast  as  my  tired  feet  would  carry  me. 

11.  In  my  fright  and  hurry  I forgot  to  keep  my 
eye  on  the  rainbow,  as  I had  done  before;  and  when, 
at  last,  I remembered  and  looked  for  it,  it  was  no- 
where in  sight!  It  had  quite  faded  away.  When  I 
saw  that  it  was  indeed  gone,  I burst  into  tears;  for  I 
had  lost  all  my  treasures,  and  had  nothing  to  show 
for  my  pilgrimage  but  muddy  feet  and  a wet  and 
torn  frock.  So  I set  out  for  home. 

12.  But  I soon  found  that  my  troubles  had  only 
begun;  I could  not  find  my  way:  I was  lost!  T 
could  not  tell  which  was  east  or  west,  north  or  south, 
but  wandered  about  here  and  there,  crying  and  call- 
ing, though  I knew  that  no  one  could  hear  me. 


200 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


13.  All  at  once  I heard  voices  shouting  and  halloo- 
ing; but,  instead  of  being  rejoiced  at  this,  I was 
frightened,  fearing,  that  the  Indians  were  upon  me!  I 
crawled  under  some  bushes,  by  the  side  of  a large  log, 
and  lay  perfectly  still.  I was  wqt,  cold,  scared, — 
altogether  very  miserable  indeed;  yet,  when  the  voices 
came  near,  I did  not  start  up  and  show  myself. 

14.  At  last  I heard  my  own  name  called;  but  I 
remembered  that  Indians  were  very  cunning,  and 
thought  they  might  have  found  it  out  some  way,  so 
I did  not  answer.  Then  came  a voice  near  me,  that 
sounded  like  that  of  my  eldest  brother,  who  lived 
away  from  home,  and  whom  I had  not  seen  for  many 
months;  but  I dared  not  believe  that  the  voice  was 
his. 

15.  Soon  some  one  sprang  up  on  the  log  by  which 
I lay,  and  stood  there  calling.  I could  not  see  his 
face;  I could  only  see  the  tips  of  his  toes,  but  by 
them  I saw  that  he  wore  a nice  pair  of  boots,  and  not 
moccasins.  Yet  I remembered  that  some  Indians 
dressed  like  white  folks;  so  I still  kept  quiet,  till  I 
heard  shouted  over  me  a pet  name,  which  this  brother 
had  given  me.  It  was  the  funniest  name  in  the 
world. 

16.  I knew  that  no  Indian  knew  of  the  name,  as  it 
was  a little  family  secret;  so  I sprang  up,  and  caught 
my  brother  about  the  ankles.  I hardly  think  that  an 
Indian  could  have  given  a louder  yell  than  he  gave 
then;  and  he  jumped  so  that  he  fell  off  the  log  down 
by  my  side.  But  nobody  was  hurt;  and,  after  kissing 
me  till  he  had  kissed  away  all  my  tears,  he  hoisted 
me  on  to  his  shoulder,  called  my  other  brothers,  who 
were  hunting  in  different  directions,  and  we  all  set 
out  for  home. 


FOURTH  READER. 


201 


17.  I had  been  gone  nearly  three  hours,  and  had 
wandered  a number  of  miles.  My  brother  Joseph’s 
coming  and  asking  for  me,  had  first  set  them  to  in- 
quiring and  searching  me  out.  When  I went  into  the 
room  where  my  brother  Rufus  sat,  he  said,  “Why, 
my  poor  little  sister ! I did  not  mean  to  send  you 
off  on  such  a wild-goose  chase  to  the  end  of  the  rain- 
bow. I thought  you  would  know  I was  only  quiz- 
zing you.” 

18.  Then  my  eldest  brother  took  me  on  his  knee, 
and  told  me  what  the  rainbow  really  was:  that  it  was 
only  painted  air,  and  did  not  rest  on  the  earth,  so  no- 
body could  ever  find  the  end;  and  that  God  had  set 
it  in  the  cloud  to  remind  him  and  us  of  his  promise 
never  again  to  drown  the  world  with  a flood.  “Oh,  I 
think  God’s  Promise  would  be  a beautiful  name  for 
the  rainbow!”  I said. 

19.  “Yes,”  replied  my  mother,  “but  it  tells  us 
something  more  than  that  he  will  not  send  great 
floods  upon  the  earth, — it  tells  us  of  his  beautiful 
love  always  bending  over  us  from  the  skies.  And  I 
trust  that  when  my  little  girl  sets  forth  on  a pilgrim- 
age to  find  God’s  love,  she  will  be  led  by  the  rain- 
bow of  his  promise  through  all  the  dark  places  of 
this  world  to  ‘ treasures  laid  up  in  heaven,’  better, 
far  better,  than  silver  or  gold.” 

Definitions. — 2.  Re-eov'er-ing,  growing  well.  3.  Winder- 
green,  a creeping  evergreen  plant  with  bright  red  berries.  6.  Im- 
posed7, (used  with  on  or  upon),  deceived , misled.  7.  Drab- 
bling, making  dirty  by  drawing  in  mud  and  water.  10.  Porcu- 
pine, a small  quadruped  whose  body  is  covered  with  sharp  quills. 
11.  PiPgrim-age,  journey.  15.  MbeCa-sing,  shoes  of  deer-skin  with 
out  soles , such  as  are  usually  worn  by  Indians.  17.  Quizzing, 
making  sport  of. 


202 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


LXXII.  THE  OLD  OAKEN  BUCKET. 


By  Samuel  Woodworth,  who  was  born  in  Massachusetts  in  1785.  He 
was  both  author  and  editor.  This  is  his  best  known  poem, 

1.  How  dear  to  this  heart  are  the  scenes  of  my  childhood, 
When  fond  recollection  presents  them  to  view! 

The  orchard,  the  meadow,  the  deep  tangled  wild-wood, 
And  every  loved  spot  which  my  infancy  knew ; 


FOURTH  READER. 


203 


The  wide-spreading  pond,  and  the  mill  that  stood  by  it: 
The  bridge  and  the  rock  where  the  cataract  fell: 

The  cot  of  my  father,  the  dairy-house  nigh  it, 

And  e’en  the  rude  bucket  which  hung  in  the  well: 

The  old  oaken  bucket,  the  iron-bound  bucket, 

The  moss-covered  bucket  which  hung  in  the  well. 

That  moss-covered  vessel  I hail  as  a treasure; 

For  often,  at  noon,  when  returned  from  the  field, 

I found  it  the  source  of  an  exquisite  pleasure, 

The  purest  and  sweetest  that  nature  can  yield. 

How  ardent  I seized  it,  with  hands  that  were  glowing, 
And  quick  to  the  white-pebbled  bottom  it  fell; 

Then  soon,  with  the  emblem  of  truth  overflowing, 

And  dripping  with  coolness,  it  rose  from  the  well : 

The  old  oaken  bucket,  the  iron-bound  bucket, 

The  moss-covered  bucket  arose  from  the  well. 

3.  How  sweet  from  the  green  mossy  brim  to  receive  it, 

As  poised  on  the  curb,  it  inclined  to  my  lips! 

Not  a full  blushing  goblet  could  tempt  me  to  leave  it, 
Though  filled  with  the  nectar  which  Jupiter  sips; 

And  now,  far  removed  from  thy  loved  situation, 

The  tear  of  regret  will  intrusively  swell, 

As  fancy  reverts  to  my  father’s  plantation, 

And  sighs  for  the  bucket  which  hangs  in  the  well : 

The  old  oaken  bucket,  the  iron-bound  bucket, 

The  moss-covered  bucket,  which  hangs  in  the  well. 

Definitions. — 1.  Cat'a-ract,  a great  fall  of  water . 2.  Over- 

flowing, running  over.  Ex/qui-§ite,  exceeding , extreme.  3.  Poi§edr, 
balanced.  GSbiet,  a hind  of  cup  or  drinking  vessel.  N£c'tar,  the 
drink  of  the  gods.  In-tru'sive-ly,  without  right  or  welcome.  Ke- 
verts7,  returns. 

Exercises.  — Who  was  the  author  of  “ The  Old  Oaken 
Bucket V7  What  is  said  of  this  piece?  What  does  the  poem 
describe?  and  what  feeling  does  it  express? 


204 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


LXXIII.  THE  SERMON  ON  THE  MOUNT. 

1.  And  seeing  the  multitudes,  he  went  up  into  a 
mountain:  and  when  he  was  set,  his  disciples  came 
unto  him;  and  he  opened  his  mouth  and  taught  them, 
saying, 

2.  Blessed  are  the  poor  in  spirit;  for  theirs  is  the 
kingdom  of  heaven.  Blessed  are  they  that  mourn; 
for  they  shall  be  comforted.  Blessed  are  the  meek; 
for  they  shall  inherit  the  earth. 

3.  Blessed  are  they  which  do  hunger  and  thirst  after 
righteousness;  for  they  shall  be  filled.  Blessed  are 
the  merciful ; for  they  shall  obtain  mercy.  Blessed 
are  the  pure  in  heart;  for  they  shall  see  God. 

4.  Blessed  are  the  peace-makers;  for  they  shall  be 
called  the  children  of  God.  Blessed  are  they  which 
are  persecuted  for  righteousness*  sake;  for  theirs  is  the 
kingdom  of  heaven. 

5.  Blessed  are  ye  when  men  shall  revile  you,  and 

persecute  you,  and  shall  say  all  manner  of  evil  against 
you  falsely,  for  my  sake.  Rejoice  and  be  exceeding 
glad;  for  great  is  your  reward  in  heaven.  * * * 

6.  Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said  by  them 
of  old  time,  Thou  shalt  not  forswear  thyself,  but  shalt 
perform  unto  the  Lord  thine  oaths:  but  I say  unto 
you,  Swear  not  at  all;  neither  by  heaven;  for  it  is 
God’s  throne:  nor  by  the  earth;  for  it  is  his  foot- 
stool: neither  by  Jerusalem;  for  it  is  the  city  of  the 
great  King. 

7.  Neither  shalt  thou  swear  by  thy  head,  because 
thou  canst  not  make  one  hair  white  or  black.  But  let 
your  communication  be,  Yea,  yea;  Nay,  nay:  for 
whatsoever  is  more  than  these  cometh  of  evil. 


FOURTH  READER. 


205 


8.  Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said,  An  eye 
for  an  eye,  and  a tooth  for  a tooth:  but  I say  unto 
you,  That  ye  resist  not  evil;  but  whosoever  shall 
smite  thee  on  thy  right  cheek,  turn  to  him  the  other 
also.  And  if  any  man  will  sue  thee  at  the  law,  and 
take  away  thy  coat,  let  him  have  thy  cloak  also. 
And  whosoever  shall  compel  thee  to  go  a mile,  go 
with  him  twain.  Give  to  him  that  asketh  thee,  and 
from  him  that  would  borrow  of  thee  turn  not  thou 
away. 

9.  Ye  have  heard  that  it  hath  been  said,  Thou  shalt 
love  thy  neighbor  and  hate  thine  enemy:  but  I say 
unto  you,  Love  your  enemies;  bless  them  that  curse 
you,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for 
them  which  despitefully  use  you  and  persecute  you; 
that  ye  may  be  the  children  of  your  Father  which  is 
in  heaven : for  he  maketh  his  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil 
and  on  the  good,  and  sendeth  rain  on  the  just  and  on 
the  unjust. 

10.  For  if  ye  love  them  which  love  you,  what 

reward  have  ye?  do  not  even  the  publicans  the  same? 
And  if  ye  salute  your  brethren  only,  what  do  ye  more 
than  others?  do  not  even  the  publicans  so?  Be  ye, 
therefore,  perfect,  even  as  your  Father  which  is  in 
heaven  is  perfect.  * * * 

11.  Judge  not,  that  ye  be  not  judged.  For  with 
what  judgment  ye  judge,  ye  shall  be  judged:  and 
with  what  measure  ye  mete,  it  shall  be  measured  to 
you  again.  And  why  beh oldest  thou  the  mote  that  is 
in  thy  brothers  eye,  but  considerest  not  the  beam 
that  is  in  thine  own  eye? 

12.  Or  how  wilt  thou  say  to  thy  brother,  Let  me 
pull  out  the  mote  out  of  thine  eye;  and,  behold,  a 
beam  is  in  thine  own  eye?  Thou  hypocrite,  first  cast 


206 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


out  the  beam  out  of  thine  own  eye;  and  then  shalt 
thou  see  clearly  to  cast  out  the  mote  out  of  thy 
brother’s  eye.  * * * 

13.  Ask,  and  it  shall  be  given  you;  seek,  and  ye 
shall  find;  knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you: 
for  every  one  that  asketh,  receiveth;  and  he  that 
seeketh,  findeth;  and  to  him  that  knocketh,  it  shall 
be  opened.  Or  what  man  is  there  of  you,  whom  if 
his  son  ask  bread,  will  he  give  him  a stone?  Or  if  he 
ask  a fish,  will  he  give  him  a serpent? 

14.  If  ye  then,  being  evil,  know  how  to  give  good 
gifts  unto  your  children,  how  much  more  shall  your 
Father  which  is  in  heaven  give  good  things  to  them 
that  ask  him  ? Therefore  all  things  whatsoever  ye 
would  that  men  should  do  to  you,  do  ye  even  so  to 
them;  for  this  is  the  law  and  the  prophets.  * * * 

15.  Whosoever  heareth  these  sayings  of  mine,  and 
doeth  them,  I will  liken  him  unto  a wise  man,  which 
built  his  house  upon  a rock : and  the  rain  descended, 
and  the  floods  came,  and  the  winds  blew,  and  beat 
upon  that  house;  and  it  fell  not:  for  it  was  founded 
upon  a rock. 

16.  And  every  one  that  heareth  these  sayings  of 
mine,  and  doeth  them  not,  shall  be  likened  unto  a 
foolish  man,  which  built  his  house  upon  the  sand: 
and  the  rain  descended,  and  the  floods  came,  and  the 
winds  blew,  and  beat  upon  that  house;  and  it  fell: 
and  great  was  the  fall  of  it. 

17.  And  it  came  to  pass,  when  Jesus  had  ended 
these  sayings,  the  people  were  astonished  at  his  doc- 
trine: for  he  taught  them  as  one  having  authority, 
and  not  as  the  scribes. 

Definitions. — 1.  Dis-^I'ple,  one  who  receives  instruction  from 
another.  2.  Bl&ss'ed,  happy . In-hSrfit,  to  come  into  possession  of  \ 


FOURTH  READER. 


207 


5.  Re-vile',  to  speak  against  without  cause.  Per'se-cute,  to  punish 
on  account  of  religion.  6.  For-swear',  to  swear  falsely.  9.  De- 
spite'ful-ly,  maliciously , cruelly.  10.  Pub'li-cang,  tax  collectors 
(they  were  often  oppressive  and  were  hated  by  the  Jews).  11. 
Mete,  to  measure.  Mote,  a small  particle.  12.  Hyp'o-erite,  a 
false  pretender.  17.  Serlbeg,  men  among  the  Jews  who  read  and 
explained  the  law  to  the  people. 

Exercises. — Who  delivered  this  sermon?  Who  are  blessed? 
and  why?  Is  it  right  to  swear?  How  should  we  treat  our 
enemies?  Should  we  judge  others  harshly?  What  does  Jesus 
say  of  him  who  finds  faults  in  his  neighbor,  but  does  not  see  his 
own  ? What  is  said  about  prayer  ? About  our  conduct  to  others  ? 


LXXIV.  THE  YOUNG  WITNESS. 

Bv  S.  H.  Hammond. 

1.  A little  girl  nine  years  of  age  was  brought 
into  court,  and  offered  as  a witness  against  a prisoner 
who  was  on  trial  for  a crime  committed  in  her 
father’s  house. 

2.  “Now,  Emily/’  said  the  counsel  for  the  prisoner, 
“I  wish  to  know  if  you  understand  the  nature  of  an 
oath  ? ” 

3.  “I  don’t  know  what  you  mean,”  was  the  simple 
answer. 

4.  “Your  Honor,”  said  the  counsel,  addressing  the 
judge,  “it  is  evident  that  this  witness  should  be  re- 
jected. She  does  not  understand  the  nature  of  an 
oath.” 

5.  “Let  us  see,”  said  the  judge.  “Come  here,  my 
daughter.” 

6.  Assured  by  the  kind  tone  and  manner  of  the 
judge,  the  child  stepped  toward  him,  and  looked  con- 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


r 

208  \ 

fidingly  in  his  face,  with  a calm,  clear  eye,  and  in  a 
manner  so  artless  and  frank  that  it  went  straight  to 
the  heart. 

7.  “Did  you  ever  take  an  oath?”  inquired  the 
judge. 

8.  The  little  girl  stepped  back  with  a look  of 
horror;  and  the  red  blood  rose  and  spread  in  a blush 
all  over  her  face  and  neck,  as  she  answered,  “No, 
sir.”  She  thought  he  intended  to  ask  if  she  had  ever 
used  profane  language. 

9.  “I  do  not  mean  that,”  said  the  judge,  who  saw 
her  mistake;  “I  mean  were  you  ever  a witness?” 

10.  “No,  sir;  I never  was  in  court  before,”  was  the 
answer. 

11.  He  handed  her  the  Bible  open.  “Do  you  know 
that  book,  my  daughter?” 

12.  She  looked  at  it  and  answered,  “Yes,  sir;  it  is 
the  Bible.” 

13.  “Do  you  ever  read  in  it?”  he  asked. 

14.  “Yes,  sir;  every  evening.” 

15.  “Can  you  tell  me  what  the  Bible  is?”  inquired 
the  judge. 

16.  “It  is  the  word  of  the  great  God,”  she  an- 
swered. 

17.  “Well,”  said  the  judge,  “place  your  hand  upon 
this  Bible,  and  listen  to  what  I say;”  and  he  repeated 
slowly  and  solemnly  the  following  oath:  “Do  you 
swear  that  in  the  evidence  which  you  shall  give  in 
this  case,  you  will  tell  the  truth,  and  nothing  but  the 
truth;  and  that  you  will  ask  God  to  help  you?” 

18.  “I  do,”  she  replied. 

19.  “Now,”  said  the  judge,  “you  have  been  sworn 
as  a witness;  will  you  tell  me  what  will  befall  you  if 
you  do  not  tell  the  truth?” 


FOURTH  READER. 


209 


20.  “I  shall  be  shut  up  in  the  state-prison,”  an- 
swered the  child. 

21.  “Any  thing  else?”  asked  the  judge. 

22.  “I  shall  never  go  to  heaven,”  she  replied. 

23.  “How  do  you  know  this?”  asked  the  judge 
again. 

24.  The  child  took  the  Bible,  turned  rapidly  to  the 
chapter  containing  the  commandments,  and,  pointing  to 
the  one  which  reads,  “Thou  shalt  not  bear  false  wit- 
ness against  thy  neighbor,”  said,  “I  learned  that  be- 
fore I could  read.” 

25.  “Has  any  one  talked  with  you  about  being  a 
witness  in  court  here  against  this  man?”  inquired  the 
judge. 

26.  “Yes,  sir,”  she  replied,  “my  mother  heard  they 
wanted  me  to  be  a witness;  and  last  night  she  called 
me  to  her  room,  and  asked  me  to  tell  her  the  Ten 
Commandments ; and  then  we  kneeled  down  together, 
and  she  prayed  that  I might  understand  how  wicked 
it  was  to  bear  false  witness  against  my  neighbor,  and 
that  God  would  help  me,  a little  child,  to  tell  the 
truth  as  it  was  before  him. 

27.  “And  when  I came  up  here  with  father,  she 
kissed  me,  and  told  me  to  remember  the  Ninth  Com- 
mandment, and  that  God  would  hear  every  word  that 
I said.” 

28.  “Do  you  believe  this?”  asked  the  judge,  while 
a tear  glistened  in  his  eye,  and  his  lip  quivered  with 
emotion. 

29.  “Yes,  sir,”  said  the  child,  with  a voice  and 
manner  which  showed  that  her  conviction  of  the  truth 
was  perfect. 

30.  “God  bless  you,  my  child,”  said  the  judge, 
“you  have  a good  mother.  The  witness  is  compe- 

(4.-14.) 


210 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


tent,”  he  continued.  “Were  I on  trial  for  my  life, 
and  innocent  of  the  charge  against  me,  I would  pray 
God  for  such  a witness  as  this.  Let  her  be  exam- 
ined.” 

31.  She  told  her  story  with  the  simplicity  of  a 
child,  as  she  was;  but  her  voice  and  manner  carried 
conviction  of  her  truthfulness  to  every  heart. 

32.  The  lawyers  asked  her  many  perplexing  ques- 
tions, but  she  did  not  vary  in  the  least  from  her  first 
statement. 

33.  The  truth,  as  spoken  by  a little  child,  was  sub- 
lime. Falsehood  and  perjury  had  preceded  her  testi- 
mony ; but  before  her  testimony,  falsehood  was  scat- 
tered like  chaff. 

34.  The  little  child,  for  whom  a mother  had  prayed 
for  strength  to  be  given  her  to  speak  the  truth  as  it 
was  before  God,  broke  the  cunning  device  of  matured 
villainy  to  pieces,  like  a potter’s  vessel.  The  strength 
that  her  mother  prayed  for  was  given  her;  and  the 
sublime  and  terrible  simplicity, — terrible  to  the  pris- 
oner and  his  associates, — was  like  a revelation  from 
God  himself. 

Definitions. — 1.  Witness,  one  who  gives  testimony.  Gom- 
mit7ted,  done , performed.  2.  Counsel,  a lawyer.  4.  Re-ject7ed, 
refused . 6.  As-sured7,  made  bold.  Gon-fid7ing-ly,  with  trust. 

8.  Pro-fane7,  irreverent , taking  the  name  of  God  in  vain.  38. 
Per7ju-ry,  the  act  of  willfully  making  a false  oath.  Chaff,  the  light 
dry  husk  of  grains  or  grasses.  34.  Ma-tured7,  perfected,  fully  devel- 
oped. P6t7ter,  one  whose  occupation  is  to  make  earthen  vessels.  R6v- 
e-la7tion,  the  act  of  disclosing  or  showing  what  was  before  unknown. 

Exercises. — What  is  this  story  about?  Why  did  the  coun- 
sel wish  to  have  Emily  refused  as  a witness?  Was  she  a fit 
person  to  be  a witness?  How  was  this  shown?  Which  com- 
mandment forbids  us  to  bear  false  witness?  What  was  the  re- 
sult of  Emily's  testimony? 


FOURTH  READER. 


211 


LXXV.  KING  SOLOMON  AND  THE  ANTS. 

By  John  Greenleaf  Whittier,  born  near  Haverhill,  Mass.,  in  1807. 
Until  he  was  eighteen  years  old  he  worked  on  the  farm,  and  during 
that  time  learned  the  trade  of  a shoemaker.  He  afterwards  became  an 
editor,  and  now  ranks  with  the  first  poets  of  America. 

1.  Out  from  Jerusalem 

The  king  rode  with  his  great 
War  chiefs  and  lords  of  state, 

And  Sheba’s  queen  with  them. 

2.  Proud  in  the  Syrian  sun, 

In  gold  and  purple  sheen, 

The  dusky  Ethiop  queen 
Smiled  on  King  Solomon. 

3.  Wisest  of  men,  he  knew 

The  languages  of  all 
The  creatures  great  or  small 
That  trod  the  earth  or  flew. 

4.  Across  an  ant-hill  led 

The  king’s  path,  and  he  heard 
Its  small  folk,  and  their  word 
He  thus  interpreted: 

5.  “Here  comes  the  king  men  greet 

As  wise  and  good  and  just, 

To  crush  us  in  the  dust 
Under  his  heedless  feet.” 

6.  The  great  king  bowed  his  head, 

And  saw  the  wide  surprise 
Of  the  Queen  of  Sheba’s  eyes 
As  he  told  her  what  they  said. 


212 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


7.  “O  king!”  she  whispered  sweet, 

“Too  happy  fate  have  they 
Who  perish  in  thy  way 
Beneath  thy  gracious  feet ! 

8.  “ Thou  of  the  God-lent  crown, 

Shall  these  vile  creatures  dare 
Murmur  against  thee  where 
The  knees  of  kings  kneel  down?” 

9.  “Nay,”  Solomon  replied, 

“The  wise  and  strong  should  seek 
The  welfare  of  the  weak;” 

And  turned  his  horse  aside. 

10.  His  train,  with  quick  alarm, 

Curved  with  their  leader  round 
The  ant-hill’s  peopled  mound, 

And  left  it  free  from  harm. 

11.  The  jeweled  head  bent  low; 

“O  king!”  she  said,  “henceforth 
The  secret  of  thy  worth 
And  wisdom  well  I know. 

12.  “Happy  must  be  the  State 

Whose  ruler  heedeth  more 
The  murmurs  of  the  poor 
Than  flatteries  of  the  great.” 

Definitions. — 4.  In-ter'pret-ed,  explained  the  meaning  of.  5. 
Greet,  address , salute.  9.  W&Ffare,  happiness.  10.  Train,  a body 
of  followers.  12.  Flat/ter-ie§,  praises  for  the  purpose  of  gratifying 
vanity  or  gaining  favor , 


FOURTH  READER. 


213 


LXXVI.  RIVERMOUTH  THEATER. 

From  “The  Story  of  a Bad  Boy,”  by  Thomas  Bailey  Aldricli.  The 
author  was  born  at  Portsmouth,  N.  H.,  in  1836.  When  quite  young 
his  family  moved  to  Louisiana,  but  he  was  sent  back  to  New  England 
to  be  educated,  and  later  he  located  at  New  York.  He  is  a well-known 
writer  of  both  prose  and  poetry. 

1.  “Now,  boys,  what  shall  we  do?”  I asked,  ad- 
dressing a thoughtful  conclave  of  seven,  assembled  in 
our  barn  one  dismal,  rainy  afternoon.  “Let’s  have  a 
theater,”  suggested  Binny  Wallace. 

2.  The  very  thing!  But  where?  The  loft  of  the 
stable  was  ready  to  burst  with  hay  provided  for 
Gypsy,  but  the  long  room  over  the  carriage-house  was 
unoccupied.  The  place  of  all  places!  My  managerial 
eye  saw  at  a glance  its  capabilities  for  a theater. 

3.  I had  been  to  the  play  a great  many  times  in 
New  Orleans,  and  was  wise  in  matters  pertaining  to 
the  drama.  So  here,  in  due  time,  was  set  up  some  ex- 
traordinary scenery  of  my  own  painting.  The  curtain, 
I recollect,  though  it  worked  smoothly  enough  on 
other  occasions,  invariably  hitched  during  the  perform- 
ances. 

4.  The  theater,  however,  was  a success,  as  far  as  it 
went.  I retired  from  the  business  with  no  fewer  than 
fifteen  hundred  pins,  after  deducting  the  headless,  the 
pointless,  and  the  crooked  pins  with  which  our  door- 
keeper frequently  got  “stuck.”  From  first  to  last  we 
took  in  a great  deal  of  this  counterfeit  money.  The 
price  of  admission  to  the  “ Rivermouth  Theater  ” was 
twenty  pins.  I played  all  the  principal  characters 
myself, — not  that  I was  a finer  actor  than  the  other 
boys,  but  because  I owned  the  establishment. 

5.  At  the  tenth  representation,  my  dramatic  career 


214 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


was  brought  to  a close  by  an  unfortunate  circumstance. 
We  were  playing  the  drama  of  “ William  Tell,  the 
Hero  of  Switzerland.”  Of  course  I was  William  Tell, 
in  spite  of  Fred  Langdon,  who  wanted  to  act  that 
character  himself.  I would  n’t  let  him,  so  he  with- 
drew from  the  company,  taking  the  only  bow  and 
arrow  we  had. 

6.  I made  a cross-bow  out  of  a piece  of  whalebone, 
and  did  very  well  without  him.  We  had  reached  that 
exciting  scene  where  Gesler,  the  Austrian  tyrant, 
commands  Tell  to  shoot  the  apple  from  his  son’s 
head.  Pepper  Whitcomb,  who  played  all  the  juvenile 
and  women  parts,  was  my  son. 

7.  To  guard  against  mischance,  a piece  of  paste- 
board was  fastened  by  a handkerchief  over  the  upper 
portion  of  Whitcomb’s  face,  while  the  arrow  to  be 
used  was  sewed  up  in  a strip  of  flannel.  I was  a cap- 
ital marksman,  and  the  big  apple,  only  two  yards  dis- 
tant, turned  its  russet  cheek  fairly  towards  me. 

8.  I can  see  poor  little  Pepper  now,  as  he  stood 
without  flinching,  waiting  for  me  to  perform  my  great 
feat.  I raised  the  cross-bow  amid  the  breathless 
silence  of  the  crowded  audience — consisting  of  seven 
boys  and  three  girls,  exclusive  of  Kitty  Collins,  who 
insisted  on  paying  her  way  in  with  a clothes-pin. 
I raised  the  cross-bow,  I repeat.  Twang!  went  the 
whip-cord;  but,  alas!  instead  of  hitting  the  apple,  the 
arrow  flew  right  into  Pepper  Whitcomb’s  mouth,  which 
happened  to  be  open  at  the  time,  and  destroyed  my 
aim. 

9.  I shall  never  be  able  to  banish  that  awful  mo- 
ment from  my  memory.  Pepper’s  roar,  expressive  of 
astonishment,  indignation,  and  pain,  is  still  ringing  in 
my  ears.  I looked  upon  him  as  a corpse,  and,  glanc- 


FOURTH  READER, 


215 


ing  not  far  into  the  dreary  future,  pictured  myself  led 
forth  to  execution  in  the  presence  of  the  very  same 
spectators  then  assembled. 

10.  Luckily,  poor  Pepper  was  not  seriously  hurt; 
but  Grandfather  Nutter,  appearing  in  the  midst  of  the 
confusion  (attracted  by  the  howls  of  young  Tell),  is- 
sued an  injunction  against  all  theatricals  thereafter, 
and  the  place  was  closed;  not,  however,  without  a 
farewell  speech  from  me,  in  which  I said  that  this 


would  have  been  the  proudest  moment  of  my  life  if  I 
had  n’t  hit  Pepper  Whitcomb  in  the  mouth.  Where- 
upon the  audience,  (assisted,  I am  glad  to  state,  by 
Pepper)  cried,  “Hear!  hear!” 

11.  I then  attributed  the  accident  to  Pepper  him- 
self, whose  mouth,  being  open  at  the  instant  I fired, 
acted  upon  the  arrow  much  after  the  fashion  of  a 
whirlpool,  and  drew  in  the  fatal  shaft.  I was  about 
to  explain  how  a comparatively  small  maelstrom  could 
suck  in  the  largest  ship,  when  the  curtain  fell  of  its 
own  accord,  amid  the  shouts  of  the  audience. 


216 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


12.  This  was  my  last  appearance  on  any  stage.  It 
was  some  time,  though,  before  I heard  the  end  of  the 
William  Tell  business.  Malicious  little  boys  who 
had  n’t  been  allowed  to  buy  tickets  to  my  theater  used 
to  cry  out  after  me  in  the  street, — “‘Who  killed  Cock 
Robin?’” 

Definitions. — 1.  CftiEclave,  a private  meeting.  2.  Man-a-ge'- 
ri-al,  of  or  pertaining  to  a manager.  4.  De-duct'ing,  taking  away, 
subtracting.  5.  Ca-reer',  course  of  action,  8.  Au'di-ei^e,  an  as- 
sembly of  hearers.  9.  Ex-e-cuTion,  a putting  to  death  by  law.  10. 
In-juncTion,  a command.  11.  At-trib'ut-ed,  assigned,  charged. 
MaeEstrom  {pro.  maEstrum),  a whirlpool. 

Note. — The  Revised  Fifth  Reader  of  this  Series  contains  the 
portion  of  William  Tell  probably  alluded  to.  See  McGuffey’s 
Fifth  Reader,  pp.  207-216. 


LXXVII.  ALFRED  THE  GREAT. 

1.  More  than  a thousand  years  ago,  (in  the  year 
849),  a prince  was  born  in  England,  who  afterwards 
became  one  of  the  most  celebrated  and  best  loved 
kings  in  the  world.  His  name  was  Alfred — afterwards 
called  Alfred  the  Great — and  he  was  the  favorite  son 
both  of  the  king  and  queen. 

2.  In  those  days  the  common  people  were  very 
ignorant;  few  of  them  could  even  read  and  write. 
There  were  no  schools,  and  the  monasteries,  where 
almost  the  only  teaching  had  been  done,  were  nearly 
all  destroyed  in  the  wars  which  were  continually  go- 
ing on.  Only  the  higher  classes  had  any  chance  to 
study,  and  even  they  paid  much  more  attention  to 
fighting  than  to  studying. 


FOURTH  READER. 


217 


3.  But  Alfred  was  different  from  most  persons  of 
his  time.  Even  when  a little  boy,  he  delighted  in 
listening  to  poems  and  to  the  ballads  which  harpers 
used  to  sing,  and  he  learned  many  of  them  by  heart. 
When  he  was  twelve  years  old,  his  mother,  the  queen, 
offered  to  give  a volume  of  poems  to  that  one  of  her 
four  sons  who  would  first  learn  to  read  it.  Alfred 
was  the  youngest  of  them  all,  yet  he  easily  won  the 
prize  of  which  his  brothers  thought  so  little. 

4.  But,  as  has  been  said,  these  were  stirring  times, 
and  Alfred  was  soon  called  on  to  show  his  great  abili- 
ties as  a soldier.  The  Danes,  a warlike  people,  were 
continually  swooping  down  in  their  vessels  upon  the 
coast  of  England.  Often  they  spread  over  the  entire 
country,  plundering  and  burning  the  towns,  and  kill- 
ing the  people. 

5.  In  the  midst  of  these  invasions  Alfred  became 
king,  when  he  was  only  twenty-two  years  old.  He 
proved  as  good  a warrior  as  he  was  a student.  He 
thought  that  whatever  is  worth  doing  at  all  is  worth 
doing  well.  He  was  generally  successful  against  the 
Danes,  but  at  one  time  they  seemed  to  have  the 
country  entirely  in  their  power,  and  Alfred  was  com- 
pelled to  hide  for  his  life. 

6.  For  some  time  he  dressed  as  a peasant,  and  lived 
in  the  cottage  of  a cow-herd,  who  was  so  careful  of 
his  king’s  safety  that  he  did  not  even  tell  his  wife 
who  he  was.  So  she  treated  the  king  as  a common 
peasant,  and  one  day  gave  him  a sharp  scolding  be- 
cause he  allowed  some  cakes  to  burn  on  the  griddle, 
after  she  had  left  him  to  watch  them.  She  told  him 
he  was  clever  enough  at  eating  cakes  though  he  man- 
aged so  badly  at  baking  them. 

7.  When  the  search  for  him  grew  less  active, 


218 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


Alfred  gradually  collected  some  of  his  followers,  with 
whom  he  encamped  on  a small  spot  of  firm  ground  in 
the  center  of  a bog.  It  was  surrounded  by  almost 
impassable  forests,  and  Alfred  fortified  the  place  so 
that  it  could  not  well  be  taken.  Then  he  made  fre- 
quent sudden  and  successful  attacks  on  the  enemy 
until  his  troops  and  the  people  became  encouraged. 

8.  One  victory  in  particular,  when  they  captured  a 
banner  which  the  Danes  thought  enchanted,  led 
Alfred  to  take  bolder  steps.  He  wished  to  find  out 
the  exact  condition  of  the  enemy,  and,  for  this  pur- 
pose, disguised  himself  as  a harper  and  entered  their 
camp.  He  was  so  successful  in  his  disguise  that  he 
remained  there  some  days,  even  being  admitted  to  the 
tent  of  the  Danish  leader  Guthrum. 

9.  He  found  their  entire  army  living  in  careless  se- 
curity, and  so  he  determined  to  make  a sudden  and 
bold  attack  on  them,  to  try  and  rid  his  country  once 
more  of  these  cruel  invaders.  He  summoned  his  peo- 
ple about  him  from  far  and  wide.  Many  of  them  had 
long  thought  their  beloved  king  dead,  but  now  all 
eagerly  obeyed  his  call. 

10.  He  at  once  led  them  against  that  part  of  the 
camp  which  he  had  seen  to  be  most  unguarded.  The 
attack  was  entirely  unexpected ; and,  although  the 
Danes  were  greater  in  numbers,  they  were  defeated 
with  great  slaughter.  Some  of  them,  with  their 
leader,  fled  to  a fortified  place,  but  were  soon  obliged 
to  surrender. 

11.  Alfred  granted  them  their  lives,  and  settled 
them  in  a part  of  his  kingdom  where  nearly  all  his 
own  people  had  been  destroyed.  He  hoped  by  this  to 
change  obstinate  enemies  into  useful  friends  who  would 
protect  England  from  further  attacks  of  their  own 


FOURTH  READER. 


219 


countrymen.  However,  some  years  later,  when  the 
Danes  made  another  invasion,  these  people  joined 
them  in  fighting  against  Alfred,  but  he  soon  succeeded 
in  driving  them  all  out  of  the  country. 

12.  Much  as  Alfred  did  for  his  people  in  war,  he 
did  more  in  time  of  peace.  Above  all  else  he  gave 
careful  attention  to  their  education.  He  rebuilt  the 
monasteries  and  aided  the  young  University  of  Ox- 
ford. He  also  founded  many  schools,  to  which  every 
owner  of  a certain  portion  of  land  was  compelled  to 
send  his  children. 

13.  But  he  did  as  much  good  by  the  example  that 
he  set  as  by  these  acts.  His  time  was  divided  into 
three  parts.  One  was  given  to  business,  one  to  re- 
freshment by  sleep  and  food,  and  the  third  to  study 
and  devotion.  Clocks  and  watches,  and  probably  even 
sun-dials,  were  then  unknown,  so  these  divisions  were 
marked  by  burning  candles  of  equal  lengths. 

14.  Alfred  did  not  study  for  his  own  pleasure 
merely,  but  translated  and  wrote  many  works  for  the 
good  of  his  people,  using  the  simple  language  which 
they  could  easily  understand  and  enjoy.  His  person 
was  handsome  and  dignified,  full  of  grace  and  activ- 
ity. But  the  more  noble  beauty  was  within,  in  the 
enlightened  mind  and  virtuous  heart  of  the  king. 
After  his  name,  which  has  its  place  on  an  ancient 
record  of  English  kings,  is  written  the  noble  title  of 
“ Truth-teller.” 

Definitions. — 2.  Mftn'as-tgr-y,  a religious  house  where  monies 
live.  5.  In-va'gion,  the  warlike  entrance  of  an  army.  8.  Dis- 
guised', hidden  by  an  unusual  dress  and  appearance.  12.  U-ni- 
ver'si-ty,  a school  of  the  highest  grade , in  which  are  taught  all 
branches  of  learning.  14.  Trans-lat'ed,  changed  from  one  language 
to  another.  En-llght'ened,  well-informed. 


220 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


LXXVIH.  LIVING  ON  A FARM. 

1.  How  brightly  through  the  mist  of  years, 
My  quiet  country  home  appears! 

My  father  busy  all  the  day 
In  plowing  corn  or  raking  hay; 

My  mother  moving  with  delight 
Among  the  milk-pans,  silver-bright; 

We  children,  just  from  school  set  free, 
Filling  the  garden  with  our  glee. 

The  blood  of  life  was  flowing  warm 
When  I was  living  on  a farm. 

2.  I hear  the  sweet  church-going  bell, 

As  o’er  the  fields  its  music  fell, 

I see  the  country  neighbors  round 
Gathering  beneath  the  pleasant  sound; 
They  stop  awhile  beside  the  door, 

To  talk  their  homely  matters  o’er — 

The  springing  corn,  the  ripening  grain, 
And  “how  we  need  a little  rain;” 

“A  little  sun  would  do  no  harm, 

We  want  good  weather  for  the  farm.” 

3.  When  autumn  came,  what  joy  to  see 
The  gathering  of  the  husking-bee, 

To  hear  the  voices  keeping  tune, 

Of  girls  and  boys  beneath  the  moon, 

To  mark  the  golden  corn-ears  bright, 
More  golden  in  the  yellow  light! 

Since  I have  learned  the  ways  of  men, 

I often  turn  to  these  again, 

And  feel  life  wore  its  highest  charm 
When  I was  living  on  the  farm. 


FOURTH  READER. 


221 


LXXIX.  HUGH  IDLE  AND  MR.  TOIL. 

Adapted  from  the  story  of  “Little  Daffydowndilly,”  by  Nathaniel 
Hawthorne.  The  author  was  born  at  Salem,  Mass.,  in  1804,  and  ranks 
among  the  first  of  American  novelists. 

1.  Hugh  Idle  loved  to  do  only  what  was  agree- 
able, and  took  no  delight  in  labor  of  any  kind.  But 
while  Hugh  was  yet  a little  boy,  he  was  sent  away 
from  home,  and  put  under  the  care  of  a very  strict 
school-master,  who  went  by  the  name  of  Mr.  Toil. 

2.  Those  who  knew  him  best,  affirmed  that  Mr. 
Toil  was  a very  worthy  character,  and  that  he  had 
done  more  good,  both  to  children  and  grown  people, 
than  any  body  else  in  the  world.  He  had,  however, 
a severe  and  ugly  countenance;  his  voice  was  harsh; 
and  all  his  ways  and  customs  were  disagreeable  to  our 
young  friend,  Hugh  Idle. 

3.  The  whole  day  long  this  terrible  old  school- 
master stalked  about  among  his  scholars,  with  a big 
cane  in  his  hand ; and  unless  a lad  chose  to  attend 
constantly  and  quietly  to  his  book,  he  had  no  chance 
of  enjoying  a single  quiet  moment.  “This  will  never 
do  for  me,”  thought  Hugh ; “ I ’ll  run  off,  and  try  to 
find  my  way  home.” 

4.  So  the  very  next  morning  off  he  started,  with 
only  some  bread  and  cheese  for  his  breakfast,  and 
very  little  pocket-money  to  pay  his  expenses.  He 
had  gone  but  a short  distance,  when  he  overtook  a 
man  of  grave  and  sedate  appearance  trudging  at  a 
moderate  pace  along  the  road. 

5.  “Good  morning,  my  fine  lad!”  said  the  stranger; 
and  his  voice  seemed  hard  and  severe,  yet  had  a sort 
of  kindness  in  it;  “whence  do  you  come  so  early,  and 
whither  are  you  going?” 


222 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


6.  Now  Hugh  was  a boy  of  very  frank  disposition, 
and  had  never  been  known  to  tell  a lie  in  all  his  life. 
Nor  did  he  tell  one  now,  but  confessed  that  he  had 
run  away  from  school  on  account  of  his  great  dislike 
to  Mr.  Toil.  “Oh,  very  well,  my  little  friend!”  an- 
swered the  stranger;  “then  we  will  go  together;  for  I 
likewise  have  had  a good  deal  to  do  with  Mr.  Toil, 
and  should  be  glad  to  find  some  place  where  he  was 
never  heard  of.”  So  they  walked  on  very  sociably 
side  by  side. 

7.  By  and  by  their  road  led  them  past  a field, 
where  some  hay-makers  were  at  work.  Hugh  could 
not  help  thinking  how  much  pleasanter  it  must  be  to 
make  hay  in  the  sunshine,  under  the  blue  sky,  than 
to  learn  lessons  all  day  long,  shut  up  in  a dismal 
school-room,  continually  watched  by  Mr.  Toil. 

8.  But  in  the  midst  of  these  thoughts,  while  he  was 
stopping  to  peep  over  the  stone  wall,  he  started  back  and 
caught  hold  of  his  companion’s  hand.  “Quick,  quick!” 
cried  he;  “let  us  run  away,  or  he  will  catch  us!” 

9.  “Who  will  catch  us?”  asked  the  stranger. 

10.  “ Mr.  Toil,  the  old  school-master,”  answered 
Hugh;  “don’t  you  see  him  among  the  hay-makers?” 
and  Hugh  pointed  to  an  elderly  man,  who  seemed  to 
be  the  owner  of  the  field. 

11.  He  was  busily  at  work  in  his  shirt  sleeves. 
The  drops  of  sweat  stood  upon  his  brow;  and  he  kept 
constantly  crying  out  to  his  work-people  to  make  hay 
while  the  sun  shone.  Strange  to  say,  the  features  of 
the  old  farmer  were  precisely  the  same  as  those  of 
Mr.  Toil,  who  at  that  very  moment  must  have  been 
just  entering  the  school-room. 

12.  “Don’t  be  afraid,”  said  the  stranger;  “this  is 
not  Mr.  Toil,  the  school-master,  but  a brother  of  his, 


FOURTH  READER. 


223 


who  was  bred  a farmer.  He  won’t  trouble  you,  unless 
you  become  a laborer  on  his  farm.” 

13.  Hugh  believed  what  his  companion  said,  but 
was  glad  when  they  were  out  of  sight  of  the  old 
farmer  who  bore  such  a singular  resemblance  to  Mr. 
Toil.  The  two  travelers  came  to  a spot  where  some 
carpenters  were  building  a house.  Hugh  begged  his 
companion  to  stop  awhile,  for  it  was  a pretty  sight  to 
see  how  neatly  the  carpenters  did  their  work  with 
their  saws,  planes,  and  hammers;  and  he  was  begin- 
ning to  think  he  too  should  like  to  use  the  saw,  and 
the  plane,  and  the  hammer,  and  be  a carpenter  him- 
self. But  suddenly  he  caught  sight  of  something  that 
made  him  seize  his  friend’s  hand,  in  a great  fright. 

14.  “ Make  haste!  quick,  quick!”  cried  he;  “ there’s 
old  Mr.  Toil  again.”  The  stranger  cast  his  eyes  where 
Hugh  pointed  his  finger,  and  saw  an  elderly  man,  who 
seemed  to  be  overseeing  the  carpenters,  as  he  went  to 
and  fro  about  the  unfinished  house,  marking  out  the 
work  to  be  done,  and  urging  the  men  to  be  diligent; 
and  wherever  he  turned  his  hard  and  wrinkled  visage, 
they  sawed  and  hammered  as  if  for  dear  life. 

15.  ‘‘Oh,  no! 'this  is  not  Mr.  Toil,  the  school- 
master,” said  the  stranger;  “it  is  another  brother  of 
his  who  follows  the  trade  of  carpenter.” 

16.  “I  am  very  glad  to  hear  it,”  quoth  Hugh; 
“but  if  you  please,  sir,  I should  like  to  get  out  of 
his  way  as  soon  as  possible.” 

Definitions. — 1.  A-gree'a-bl e,  pleasing.  2.  Af-firmed declared. 
4.  Ex-p6ns/e§,  costs.  Se-date/,  calm.  Mdd^er-ate,  neither  fast  nor 
slow.  6.  Dis-po-§i/tion,  natural  state  of  mind.  Con-fessed',  ac- 
knowledged. So'cia-bly,  in  a friendly  way.  11.  Features,  the  dis- 
tinctive  marks  of  the  face.  13.  Re-g&nFblaruje,  likeness.  14.  DiFi- 
gent,  industrious.  Visage,  the  face.  16.  Qu5th,  said. 


224 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


LXXX.  HUGH  IDLE  AND  MR.  TOIL. 

(Concluded.) 

1.  Now  Hugh  and  the  stranger  had  not  gone  much 
further,  when  they  met  a company  of  soldiers,  gayly 
dressed,  with  feathers  in  their  caps,  and  glittering 
muskets  on  their  shoulders.  In  front  marched  the 
drummers  and  fifers,  making  such  merry  music  that 
Hugh  would  gladly  have  followed  them  to  the  end  of 
the  world.  If  he  were  only  a soldier,  he  said  to  him- 
self,. old  Mr.  Toil  would  never  venture  to  look  him 
in  the  face. 

2.  “ Quick  step!  forward!  march !”  shouted  a gruff 
voice. 

3.  Little  Hugh  started  in  great  dismay;  for  this 
voice  sounded  precisely  like  that  which  he  had  heard 
every  day  in  Mr.  Toil’s  school-room.  And  turning 
his  eyes  to  the  captain  of  the  company,  what  should 
he  see  but  the  very  image  of  old  Mr.  Toil  himself,  in 
an  officer’s  dress,  to  be  sure,  but  looking  as  ugly  and 
disagreeable  as  ever. 

4.  “This  is  certainly  old  Mr.  Toil,”  said  Hugh,  in 
a trembling  voice.  “Let  us  away,  for  fear  he  should 
make  us  enlist  in  his  company.” 

/ 5.  “You  are  mistaken  again,  my  little  friend,”  re- 
plied the  stranger  very  composedly.  “This  is  only  a 
brother  of  Mr.  Toil’s,  who  has  served  in  the  army  all 
his  life.  You  and  I need  not  be  afraid  of  him.” 

6.  “Well,  well,”  said  Hugh,  “if  you  please,  sir,  I 
don’t  want  to  see  the  soldiers  any  more.”  So  the 
child  and  the  stranger  resumed  their  journey ; and, 
after  awhile,  they  came  to  a house  by  the  road-side, 
where  a number  of  young  men  and  rosy-cheeked  girls, 


FOURTH  READER. 


225 


With  smiles  on  their  faces,  were  dancing  to  the  sound 
of  a fiddle. 

7.  “Oh,  let  us  stop  here,”  cried  Hugh;  “Mr.  Toil 
will  never  dare  to  show  his  face  where  there  is  a 
fiddler,  and  where  people  are  dancing  and  making 
merry.” 

8.  But  the  words  had  scarcely  died  away  on  the 
little  boy’s  tongue,  when,  happening  to  cast  his  eyes 
on  the  fiddler,  whom  should  he  behold  again  but  the 
likeness  of  Mr.  Toil,  armed  with  a fiddle-bow  this 
time,  and  flourishing  it  with  as  much  ease  and  dexter- 
ity as  if  he  had  been  a fiddler  all  his  life. 

9.  “ Oh,  dear  me ! ” whispered  he,  turning  pale  ; “ it 
seems  as  if  there  were  nobody  but  Mr.  Toil  in  the 
world.” 

10.  “This  is  not  your  old  school-master,”  observed 
the  stranger,  “but  another  brother  of  his,  who  has 
learned  to  be  a fiddler.  He  is  ashamed  of  his  family, 
and  generally  calls  himself  Master  Pleasure;  but  his 
real  name  is  Toil,  and  those  who  know  him  best  think 
him  still  more  disagreeable  than  his  brothers.” 

11.  “Pray,  let  us  go  on,”  said  Hugh. 

12.  Well,  thus  the  two  went  wandering  along  the 
highway  and  in  shady  lanes  and  through  pleasant 
villages,  and  wherever  they  went,  behold ! there  was 
the  image  of  old  Mr.  Toil.  If  they  entered  a house, 
he  sat  in  the  parlor;  if  they  peeped  into  the  kitchen, 
he  was  there!  He  made  himself  at  home  in  every 
cottage,  and  stole,  under  one  disguise  or  another,  into 
the  most  splendid  mansions.  Every-where  they  stum- 
bled on  some  of  the  old  school-master’s  innumerable 
brothers. 

13.  At  length,  little  Hugh  found  himself  completely 
worn  out  with  running  away  from  Mr.  Toil.  “Take 

(4.-15.) 


226 


ECLECTIC  SERIES, 


me  back!  take  me  back!”  cried  the  poor  fellow, 
bursting  into  tears.  “If  there  is  nothing  but  Toil  all 
the  world  over,  I may  just  as  well  go  back  to  the 
school-house.” 

14.  “Yonder  it  is;  there  is  the  school-house!”  said 
the  stranger;  for  though  he  and  little  Hugh  had 
taken  a great  many  steps,  they  had  traveled  in  a circle 
instead  of  a straight  line.  “Come,  we  will  go  back  to 
the  school  together.” 

15.  There  was  something  in  his  companion’s  voice 
that  little  Hugh  now  remembered;  and  it  is  strange 
that  he  had  not  remembered  it  sooner.  Looking  up 
into  his  face,  behold ! there  again  was  the  likeness  of 
old  Mr.  Toil,  so  that  the  poor  child  had  been  in  com- 
pany with  Toil  all  day,  even  while  he  had  been  doing 
his  best  to  run  away  from  him. 

•16.  Little  Hugh  Idle,  however,  had  learned  a good 
lesson,  and  from  that  time  forward  was  diligent  at  his 
task,  because  he  now  knew  that  diligence  is  not  a 
whit  more  toilsome  than  sport  or  idleness.  And  when 
he  became  better  acquainted  with  Mr.  Toil,  he  began 
to  think  his  ways  were  not  so  disagreeable,  and  that 
the  old  school-master’s  smile  of  approbation  made  his 
face  sometimes  appear  almost  as  pleasant  as  even  that 
of  Hugh’s  mother. 

Definitions. — 1.  V&nt'ure,  to  dare , to  risk  3.  Dis-may', 
fright , terror . Pre-gise'ly,  exactly.  4.  En-list/,  to  put  one's  name 
on  a roily  to  join.  5.  Com-pog'ed-ly,  calmly , quietly.  6.  Re- 
sumed', recommenced.  10.  Ob-gerved',  remarked.  12.  In-nu'mer- 
a-ble,  not  to  he  counted.  16.  Ap-pro-ba'tion,  the  act  of  regarding 
with  pleasure. 

Exercises. — To  whose  school  was  Hugh  Idle  sent?  Why  did 
he  run  away?  Relate  the  adventures  of  Hugh  and  the  stran- 
ger. What  lesson  is  taught  by  this  story? 


FOURTH  READER. 


221 


LXXXI.  BURNING  THE  FALLOW. 


Adapted  from  “ Roughing  it  in  the  Bush,”  a story  by  Mrs.  Susanna 
Moodie  (sister  of  Agnes  Strickland),  relating  her  adventures  in  the  back- 
woods  of  Canada.  The  book  was  first  published  in  1852. 

1.  The  day  was  sultry,  and  towards  noon  a strong 
wind  sprang  up  that  roared  in  the  pine  tops  like  the 
dashing  of  distant  billows,  but  without  in  the  least 
degree  abating  the  heat.  The  children  were  lying 
listlessly  upon*  the  floor,  and  the  girl  and  I were  fin- 
ishing sun-bonnets,  when  Mary  suddenly  exclaimed, 
“ Bless  us,  mistress,  what  a smoke !” 

2.  I ran  immediately  to  the  door,  but  was  not  able 
to  distinguish  ten  yards  before  me.  The  swamp  im- 
mediately below  us  was  on  fire,  and  the  heavy  wind 
was  driving  a dense  black  cloud  of  smoke  directly 
towards  us. 

3.  “What  can  this  mean?”  I cried.  “Who  can 
have  set  fire  to  the  fallow?”  As  I ceased  speaking, 
John  Thomas  stood  pale  and  trembling  before  me. 
“John,  what  is  the  meaning  of  this  fire?” 

4.  “Oh,  ma’am,  I hope  you  will  forgive  me;  it  was 
I set  fire  to  it,  and  I would  give  all  I have  in  the 
world  if  I had  not  done  it.” 

5.  “What  is  the  danger?” 

6.  “Oh,  I'm  afraid  that  we  shall  all  be  burnt  up,” 
said  John,  beginning  to  whimper.  ibWhat  shall  we 
do?” 

7.  “Why,  we  must  get  out  of  it  as  fast  as  we  can, 
and  leave  the  house  to  its  fate.” 

8.  “We  can't  get  out,”  said  the  man,  in  a low,  hol- 
low tone,  which  seemed  the  concentration  of  fear;  “I 


228 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


would  have  got  out  of  it  if  I could;  but  just  step  to 
the  back  door,  ma’am,  and  see.” 

9.  Behind,  before,  on  every  side,  we  were  sur- 
rounded by  a wall  of  fire,  burning  furiously  within  a 
hundred  yards  of  us,  and  cutting  off  all  possibility  of 
retreat;  for,  could  we  have  found  an  opening  through 
the  burning  heaps,  we  could  not  have  seen  our  way 
through  the  dense  canopy  of  smoke;  and,  buried  as 
we  were  in  the  heart  of  the  forest,  no  one  could  dis- 
cover our  situation  till  we  were  beyond  the  reach  of 
help. 

10.  I closed  the  door,  and  went  back  to  the  parlor. 
Fear  was  knocking  loudly  at  my  heart,  for  our  utter 
helplessness  destroyed  all  hope  of  our  being  able  to 
effect  our  escape.  The  girl  sat  upon  the  floor  by  the 
children,  who,  unconscious  of  the  peril  that  hung  over 
them,  had  both  fallen  asleep.  She  was  silently  weep- 
ing; while  the  boy  who  had  caused  the  mischief  was 
crying  aloud. 

11.  A strange  calm  succeeded  my  first  alarm.  I sat 
down  upon  the  step  of  the  door,  and  watched  the 
awful  scene  in  silence.  The  fire  was  raging  in  the 
cedar  swamp  immediately  below  the  ridge  on  which 
the  house  stood,  and  it  presented  a spectacle  truly 
appalling. 

12.  From  out  of  the  dense  folds  of  a canopy  of 
black  smoke — the  blackest  I ever  saw — leaped  up  red 
forks  of  lurid  flame  as  high  as  the  tree  tops,  igniting 
the  branches  of  a group  of  tall  pines  that  had  been 
left  for  saw-logs.  A deep  gloom  blotted  out  the  heav- 
ens from  our  sight.  The  air  was  filled  with  fiery  par- 
ticles, which  floated  even  to  the  door-step — while  the 
crackling  and  roaring  of  the  flames  might  have  been 
heard  at  a great  distance. 


FOURTH  READER. 


229 


13.  To  reach  the  shore  of  the  lake,  we  must  pass 
through  the  burning  swamp,  and  not  a bird  could 
pass  over  it  with  unscorched  wings.  The  fierce  wind 
drove  the  flames  at  the  sides  and  back  of  the  house 
up  the  clearing;  and  our  passage  to  the  road  or  to  the 
forest,  on  the  right  and  left,  was  entirely  obstructed 
by  a sea  of  flames.  Our  only  ark  of  safety  was  the 
house,  so  long  as  it  remained  untouched  by  the  fire. 

14.  I turned  to  young  Thomas,  and  asked  him  how 
long  he  thought  that  would  be.  “When  the  fire 
clears  this  little  ridge  in  front,  ma’am.  The  Lord 
have  mercy  on  us  then,  or  we  must  all  go.” 

15.  I threw  myself  down  on  the  floor  beside  my 
children,  and  pressed  them  to  my  heart,  while  inwardly 
I thanked  God  that  they  were  asleep,  unconscious  of 
danger,  and  unable  by  their  cries  to  distract  our  atten- 
tion from  adopting  any  plan  which  might  offer  to 
effect  their  escape. 

16.  The  heat  soon  became  suffocating.  We  were 
parched  with  thirst,  and  there  was  not  a drop  of 
water  in  the  house,  and  none  to  be  procured  nearer 
than  the  lake.  I turned  once  more  to  the  door,  hop- 
ing that  a passage  might  have  been  burnt  through  to 
the  water.  I saw  nothing  but  a dense  cloud  of  fire 
and  smoke — could  hear  nothing  but  the  crackling  and 
roaring  of  flames,  which  were  gaining  so  fast  upon  us 
that  I felt  their  scorching  breath  in  my  face. 

17.  “Ah,”  thought  I — and  it  was  a most  bitter 
thought — “what  will  my  beloved  husband  say  when 
he  returns  and  finds  that  his  poor  wife  and  his  dear 
girls  have  perished  in  this  miserable  manner?  But 
God  can  save  us  yet.” 

18.  The  thought  had  scarcely  found  a voice  in  my 
heart  before  the  wind  rose  to  a hurricane,  scattering 


230 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


the  flames  on  all  sides  into  a tempest  of  burning  bil- 
lows. I buried  my  head  in  my  apron,  for  I thought 
that  all  was  lost,  when  a most  terrific  crash  of  thun- 
der burst  over  our  heads,  and,  like  the  breaking  of  a 
water-spout,  down  came  the  rushing  torrent  of  rain 
which  had  been  pent  up  for  so  many  weeks. 

19.  In  a few  minutes  the  chip-yard  was  all  afloat, 
and  the  fire  effectually  checked.  The  storm  which,  un- 
noticed by  us,  had  been  gathering  all  day,  and  which 
was  the  only  one  of  any  note  we  had  that  summer, 
continued  to  rage  all  night,  and  before  morning  had 
quite  subdued  the  cruel  enemy  whose  approach  we 
had  viewed  with  such  dread. 

Definitions. — 1.  A-bat7ing,  lessening.  List/less-ly,  not  paying 
attention , heedlessly.  3.  Fal7low,  a new  clearing  usually  covered  with 
brush  heaps.  8.  CSn-gen-t ra7tion,  bringing  into  a small  space , the 
essence.  9.  Can7o-py,  a covering  or  curtain.  10.  Ef-fect7,  to  bring 
to  pass.  11.  Suc-geed7ed,  followed.  Ap-pall7ing,  terrifying.  12. 
Lu7rid,  dull  red.  Ig-rrit7ing,  setting  on  fire.  15.  Dis-tract7,  con- 
fuse, perplex.  16.  Parched,  made  very  dry.  18.  Wa7ter-spout,  a 
column  of  water  caught  up  by  a whirlwind. 


L XXXII.  THE  DYING  SOLDIERS. 

1.  A waste  of  land,  a sodden  plain, 

A lurid  sunset  sky, 

With  clouds  that  fled  and  faded  fast 
In  ghostly  phantasy; 

A field  upturned  by  trampling  feet, 

A field  uppiled  with  slairn, 

With  horse  and  rider  blent  in  death 
Upon  the  battle-plain. 


FOURTH  READER. 


2.  The  dying  and  the  dead  lie  low ; 

For  them,  no  more  shall  rise 
The  evening  moon,  nor  midnight  stars, 

Nor  daylight’s  soft  surprise: 

They  will  not  wake  to  tenderest  call, 

Nor  see  again  each  home, 

Where  waiting  hearts  shall  throb  and  break, 
When  this  day’s  tidings  come. 

3.  Two  soldiers,  lying  as  they  fell 

Upon  the  reddened  clay — 

In  daytime,  foes;  at  night,  in  peace 
Breathing  their  lives  away! 

Brave  hearts  had  stirred  each  manly  breast; 

Fate  only,  made  them  foes; 

And  lying,  dying,  side  by  side, 

A softened  feeling  rose. 

4.  “Our  time  is  short,”  one  faint  voice  said; 

“To-day  we’ve  done  our  best 
On  different  sides:  what  matters  now? 

To-morrow  we  shall  rest! 

Life  lies  behind.  I might  not  care 
For  only  my  own  sake; 

But  far  away  are  other  hearts, 

That  this  day’s  work  will  break. 

5.  “Among  New  Hampshire’s  snowy  hills, 

There  pray  for  me  to-night 
A woman,  and  a little  girl 
With  hair  like  golden  light;” 

And  at  the  thought,  broke  forth,  at  last, 
The  cry  of  anguish  wild, 

That  would  not  longer  be  repressed — 

“O  God,  my  wife,  my  child!” 


232 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


6.  “And,”  said  the  other  dying  man, 

“Across  the  Georgia  plain, 

There  watch  and  wait  for  me  loved  ones 
I ne’er  shall  see  again: 

A little  girl,  with  dark,  bright  eyes, 

Each  day  waits  at  the  door; 

Her  father’s  step,  her  father’s  kiss, 

Will  never  greet  her  more. 

7.  “To-day  we  sought  each  other’s  lives: 

Death  levels  all  that  now; 

For  soon  before  God’s  mercy-seat 
Together  we  shall  bow. 

Forgive  each  other  while  we  may; 

Life’s  but  a weary  game, 

And,  right  or  wrong,  the  morning  sun 
Will  find  us,  dead,  the  same.” 

8.  The  dying  lips  the  pardon  breathe; 

The  dying  hands  entwine; 

The  last  ray  fades,  and  over  all 
The  stars  from  heaven  shine; 

And  the  little  girl  with  golden  hair, 

And  one  with  dark  eyes  bright, 

On  Hampshire’s  hills,  and  Georgia’s  plain, 

Were  fatherless  that  night! 

Definitions. — 1.  S6d7den,  soaked.  Phan7ta-sy,  specter-like  ap- 
pearance. Bl&nt,  mingled  together.  2.  Tl7ding§,  news.  5.  ArV- 
guish,  deep  distress.  Re-pressed7,  kept  hack.  8.  Par7don,  forgive- 
ness. En- twine7,  clasp  together . 

Exercises. — What  do  the  first  two  stanzas  describe?  What 
does  the  third?  What  did  one  soldier  say  to  the  other?  Where 
was  his  home?  What  friends  had  he  there?  Where  was  the 
home  of  the  other  soldier?  Who  waited  for  him?  Did  they 
forgive  each  other? 


FOURTH  READER. 


233 


LXXXIII.  THE  ATTACK  ON  NYMEGEN. 

From  “The  History  of  the  United  Netherlands,”  by  John  Lotlirop 
Motley.  Mr.  Motley  was  born  in  1814,  at  Dorchester,  Mass.  He  gradu- 
ated at  Harvard  in  1831,  and  afterwards  lived  many  years  in  Europe, 
writing  the  histories  which  have  made  him  famous. 

1.  On  the  evening  of  the  10th  of  August,  1589, 
there  was  a wedding-feast  in  one  of  the  splendid  man- 
sions of  the  stately  city.  The  festivities  were  pro- 
longed until  deep  in  the  midsummer's  night,  and  harp 
and  viol  were  still  inspiring  the  feet  of  the  dancers, 
when  on  a sudden,  in  the  midst  of  the  holiday-groups, 
appeared  the  grim  visage  of  Martin  Schenk,  the  man 
who  never  smiled. 

2.  Clad  in  no  wedding  garment,  but  in  armor  of 
proof,  with  morion  on  head,  and  sword  in  hand,  the 
great  freebooter  strode  heavily  through  the  ISall-room, 
followed  by  a party  of  those  terrible  musketeers  who 
never  gave  or  asked  for  quarter,  while  the  affrighted 
revelers  fluttered  away  before  them. 

3.  Taking  advantage  of  a dark  night,  he  had  just 
dropped  down  the  river  from  his  castle,  with  five  and 
twenty  barges,  had  landed  with  his  most  trusted  soldiers 
in  the  foremost  vessels,  had  battered  down  the  gate  of 
St.  Anthony,  and  surprised  and  slain  the  guard. 

4.  Without  waiting  for  the  rest  of  his  boats,  he 
had  then  stolen  with  his  comrades  through  the  silent 
streets,  and  torn  away  the  lattice-work,  and  other 
slight  defenses  on  the  rear  of  the  house  which  they 
had  now  entered,  and  through  which  they  intended  to 
possess  themselves  of  the  market-place. 

5.  Martin  had  long  since  selected  this  mansion  as  a 
proper  position  for  his  enterprise,  but  he  had  not  been 
bidden  to  the  wedding,  and  was  somewhat  disconcerted 


234 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


when  he  found  himself  on  the  festive  scene  which  he 
had  so  grimly  interrupted. 

6.  Some  of  the  merry-makers  escaped  from  the 
house,  and  proceeded  to  alarm  the  town;  while  Schenk 
hastily  fortified  his  position,  and  took  possession  of 
the  square.  But  the  burghers  and  garrison  were  soon 
on  foot,  and  he  was  driven  back  into  the  house. 

7.  Three  times  he  recovered  the  square  by  main 
strength  of  his  own  arm,  seconded  by  the  handful  of 


FOURTH  READER. 


235 


men  whom  he  had  brought  with  him,  and  three  times 
he  was  beaten  back  by  overwhelming  numbers  into 
the  wedding  mansion. 

8.  The  arrival  of  the  greater  part  of  his  followers, 
with  whose  assistance  he  could  easily  have  mastered 
the  city  in  the  first  moments  of  surprise,  was  mysteri- 
ously delayed.  He  could  not  account  for  their  pro- 
longed absence,  and  was  meanwhile  supported  only  by 
those  who  had  arrived  with  him  in  the  foremost 
barges. 

9.  The  truth — of  which  he  was  ignorant — was,  that 
the  remainder  of  the  flotilla,  borne  along  by  the  strong 
and  deep  current  of  the  Waal,  then  in  a state  of 
freshet,  had  shot  past  the  landing-place,  and  had  ever 
since  been  vainly  struggling  against  wind  and  tide  to 
force  their  way  back  to  the  necessary  point. 

10.  Meantime  Schenk  and  his  followers  fought  des- 
perately in  the  market-place,  and  desperately  in  the 
house  which  he  had  seized.  But  a whole  garrison, 
and  a town  full  of  citizens  in  arms  proved  too  much 
for  him,  and  he  was  now  hotly  besieged  in  the  man- 
sion, and  at  last  driven  forth  into  the  streets. 

11.  By  this  time  day  was  dawning,  the  whole  popu- 
lation, soldiers  and  burghers,  men,  women,  and  chil- 
dren, were  thronging  about  the  little  band  of  maraud- 
ers, and  assailing  them  with  every  weapon  and  every 
missile  to  be  found.  Schenk  fought  with  his  usual 
ferocity,  but  at  last  the  musketeers,  in  spite  of  his  in- 
dignant commands,  began  rapidly  to  retreat  toward 
the  quay. 

12.  In  vain  Martin  stormed  and  cursed,  in  vain 
with  his  own  hand  he  struck  more  than  one  of  his 
soldiers  dead.  He  was  swept  along  with  the  panic- 
stricken  band,  and  when,  shouting  and  gnashing  his 


236 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


teeth  with  frenzy,  he  reached  the  quay  at  last,  he  saw 
at  a glance  why  his  great  enterprise  had  failed. 

13.  The  few  empty  barges  of  his  own  party  were 
moored  at  the  steps;  the  rest  were  half  a mile  off, 
contending  hopelessly  against  the  swollen  and  rapid 
Waal.  Schenk,  desperately  wounded,  was  left  almost 
alone  upon  the  wharf,  for  his  routed  followers  had 
plunged  helter-skelter  into  the  boats,  several  of  which, 
overladen  in  the  panic,  sank  at  once,  leaving  the  sol- 
diers to  drown  or  struggle  with  the  waves. 

14.  The  game  was  lost.  Nothing  was  left  the  free- 
booter but  retreat.  Reluctantly  turning  his  back  on 
his  enemies,  now  in  full  cry  close  behind  him,  Schenk 
sprang  into  the  last  remaining  boat  just  pushing  from 
the  quay.  Already  overladen,  it  foundered  with  his 
additional  weight,  and  Martin  Schenk,  encumbered 
with  his  heavy  armor,  sank  at  once  to  the  bottom  of 
the  Waal. 

15.  Some  of  the  fugitives  succeeded  in  swimming 
down  the  stream,  and  were  picked  up  by  their  com- 
rades in  the  barges  below  the  town,  and  so  made  their 
escape.  Many  were  drowned  with  their  captain.  A 
few  days  afterward,  the  inhabitants  of  Nymegen  fished 
up  the  body  of  the  famous  partisan.  He  was  easily 
recognized  by  his  armor,  and  by  his  truculent  face, 
still  wearing  the  scowl  with  which  he  had  last  re- 
buked his  followers. 

Definitions. — 2.  MoTi-on,  a kind  of  helmet.  Fiee'boot-er, 
one  who  plunders . Mus-ket-eer',  a soldier  armed  with  a mushet. 
Quarter,  mercy.  6.  Burgh'erg,  inhabitants  of  a town.  Gar'ri-son, 
troops  stationed  in  a fort  or  town.  9.  Flo-tlFla,  a fleet  of  small  ves- 
sels. 11.  Ma-raud'erg,  plunderers.  Quay  {pro.  ke),  a wharf.  14. 
Found'ered,  sank.  En-ctim'bered,  weighed  down.  15.  Par'ti-gan, 
a commander  of  a body  of  roving  troops.  TriFcu-lent,  fierce . 


FOURTH  READER . 


237 


LXXXIV.  THE  SEASONS. 

I.  SPRING. 

H.  G.  Adams  is  an  English  writer.  He  has  compiled  two  volumes  of 
poetical  quotations,  and  is  the  author  of  several  volumes  of  original 
poems.  The  following  is  from  the  “ Story  of  the  Seasons.” 

A bursting  into  greenness; 

A waking  as  from  sleep; 

A twitter  and  a warble 

That  make  the  pulses  leap: 

A watching,  as  in  childhood, 

For  the  flowers  that,  one  by  one, 

Open  their  golden  petals 
To  woo  the  fitful  sun. 

A gust,  a flash,  a gurgle, 

A wish  to  shout  and  sing, 

As,  filled  with  hope  and  gladness, 

We  hail  the  vernal  Spring. 

II.  SUMMER. 

Now  is  the  high-tide  of  the  year, 

And  whatever  of  life  hath  ebbed  away 
Comes  flooding  back  with  a ripply  cheer, 

Into  every  bare  inlet  and  creek  and  bay. 

We  may  shut  our  eyes,  but  we  can  not  help  knowing 
That  skies  are  clear  and  grass  is  growing; 

The  breeze  comes  whispering  in  our  ear, 

That  dandelions  are  blossoming  near, 

That  maize  has  sprouted,  that  streams  are  flowing, 
That  the  river  is  bluer  than  the  sky, 

That  the  robin  is  plastering  his  house  hard  by; 

And  if  the  breeze  kept  the  good  news  back 
For  other  couriers  we  should  not  lack; 


238 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


We  could  guess  it  all  by  yon  heifer’s  lowing, — 
And  hark ! how  clear  bold  chanticleer, 

Warmed  with  the  new  wine  of  the  year, 

Tells  all  in  his  lusty  crowing. 

— Lowell. 


III.  AUTUMN. 


Thomas  Hood,  author  of  the  following  selection,  was  born  in  1798,  at 
London,  where  he  was  editor  of  the  “London  Magazine.”  He  is  best 
known  as  a humorist,  but  some  of  his  poems  are  full  of  tender  feeling. 


The  autumn  is  old; 

The  sear  leaves  are  flying; 

He  hath  gathered  up  gold 
And  now  he  is  dying: 

Old  age,  begin  sighing ! 

The  year’s  in  the  wane; 

There  is  nothing  adorning; 
The  night  has  no  eve, 

And  the  day  has  no  morning; 
Cold  winter  gives  warning. 


IV.  WINTER. 

Charles  T.  Brooks  translated  the  following  selection  from  the  original 
by  the  German  poet,  Ludwig  Holty . Mr.  Brooks  was  born  at  Salem,  Mass., 
in  1813.  After  graduation  at  Harvard  he  entered  the  ministry.  He  has 
translated  much  from  the  German,  both  of  poetry  and  prose. 

Now  no  plumed  throng 
Charms  the  wood  with  song; 

Ice-bound  trees  are  glittering; 

Merry  snow-birds,  twittering, 

Fondly  strive  to  cheer 
Scenes  so  cold  and  drear. 


FOURTH  READER. 


239 


Winter,  still  I see 
Many  charms  in  thee, — 
Love  thy  chilly  greeting, 
Snow-storms  fiercely  beating, 
And  the  dear  delights 
Of  the  long,  long  nights. 


Definitions. — (I.)  P&t'alg,  the  colored  leaves  of  flowers.  Ver'- 
nal,  belonging  to  spring.  (II.)  Ebbed,  flowed  bach , receded.  Cou- 
rier {pro.  koo'ri-er),  a messenger.  Lus'ty,  strong , vigorous , health - 
ful.  (III.)  Sear,  dry , withered.  Wane,  decrease , decline. 


LXXXV.  BRANDYWINE  FORD. 

Bayard  Taylor  was  born  at  Kennett  Square,  Penn.,  in  1825.  He  re- 
ceived a limited  school  education,  but  at  an  early  age  displayed  great 
energy  and  talent.  He  was  a great  traveler,  and  a fluent,  graceful  writer, 
both  of  prose  and  verse.  Mr.  Taylor  held  high  official  positions  under 
the  government.  The  following  selection  is  adapted  from  “The  Story 
of  Kennett.” 


1.  The  black,  dreary  night,  seemed  interminable. 
He  could  only  guess,  here  and  there,  at  a landmark, 
and  was  forced  to  rely  more  upon  Roger’s  instinct 
of  the  road  than  upon  the  guidance  of  his  senses. 
Toward  midnight,  as  he  judged,  by  the  solitary  crow 
of  a cock,  the  rain  almost  entirely  ceased. 

2.  The  wind  began  to  blow  sharp  and  keen,  and  the 
hard  vault  of  the  sky  to  lift  a little.  He  fancied  that 
the  hills  on  his  right  had  fallen  away,  and  that  the 
horizon  was  suddenly  depressed  towards  the  north. 
Roger’s  feet  began  to  splash  in  constantly  deepening 
water,  and  presently  a roar,  distinct  from  that  of  the 
wind,  filled  the  air, 


240 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


3.  It  was  the  Brandywine.  The  stream  had  over- 
flowed its  broad  meadow-bottoms,  and  was  running 
high  and  fierce  beyond  its  main  channel.  The  turbid 
waters  made  a dim,  dusky  gleam  around  him ; soon 
the  fences  disappeared,  and  the  flood  reached  to  his 
horse’s  body. 

4.  But  he  knew  that  the  ford  could  be  distinguished 
by  the  break  in  the  fringe  of  timber;  moreover,  that 
the  creek  bank  was  a little  higher  than  the  meadows 
behind  it,  and  so  far,  at  least,  he  might  venture.  The 
ford  was  not  more  than  twenty  yards  across,  and  he 
could  trust  Roger  to  swim  that  distance. 

5.  The  faithful  animal  pressed  bravely  on,  but  Gil- 
bert soon  noticed  that  he  seemed  at  fault.  The  swift 
water  had  forced  him  out  of  the  road,  and  he  stopped 
from  time  to  time,  as  if  anxious  and  uneasy.  The 
timber  could  now  be  discerned,  only  a short  distance 
in  advance,  and  in  a few  minutes  they  would  gain  the 
bank. 

6.  What  was  that?  A strange,  rustling,  hissing 
sound,  as  of  cattle  trampling  through  dry  reeds, — a 
sound  which  quivered  and  shook,  even  in  the  breath 
of  the  hurrying  wind ! Roger  snorted,  stood  still,  and 
trembled  in  every  limb ; and  a sensation  of  awe  and 
terror  struck  a chill  through  Gilbert’s  heart.  The 
sound  drew  swiftly  nearer,  and  became  a wild,  seething 
roar,  filling  the  whole  breadth  of  the  valley. 

7.  “ The  dam!  the  dam!”  cried  Gilbert,  “the  dam 
has  given  way ! ” He  turned  Roger’s  head,  gave  him 
the  rein,  struck,  spurred,  cheered,  and  shouted.  The 
brave  beast  struggled  through  the  impeding  flood,  but 
the  advance  wave  of  the  coming  inundation  already 
touched  his  side.  He  staggered ; a line  of  churning 
foam  bore  down  upon  them,  the  terrible  roar  was  all 


FOURTH  READER . 


241 


around  and  over  them,  and  horse  and  rider  were 
whirled  away. 

8.  What  happened  during  the  first  few  seconds,  Gil- 
bert could  never  distinctly  recall.  Now  they  were 
whelmed  in  the  water,  now  riding  its  careering  tide, 
torn  through  the  tops  of  brushwood,  jostled  by  floating 
logs  and  timbers  of  the  dam,  but  always,  as  it  seemed, 
remorselessly  held  in  the  heart  of  the  tumult  and  the 
ruin. 

9.  He  saw  at  last  that  they  had  fallen  behind  the 
furious  onset  of  the  flood,  but  Roger  was  still  swim- 
ming with  it,  desperately  throwing  up  his  head  from 
time  to  time,  and  snorting  the  water  from  his  nostrils. 
All  his  efforts  to  gain  a foothold  failed ; his  strength 
was  nearly  spent,  and  unless  some  help  should  come  in 
a few  minutes  it  would  come  in  vain.  And  in  the 
darkness,  and  the  rapidity  with  which  they  were 
borne  along,  how  should  help  come? 

10.  All  at  once  Roger’s  course  stopped.  He  became 
an  obstacle  to  the  flood,  which  pressed  him  against 
some  other  obstacle  below,  and  rushed  over  horse  and 
rider.  Thrusting  out  his  hand,  Gilbert  felt  the  rough 
bark  of  a tree.  Leaning  towards  it,  and  clasping  the 
log  in  his  arms,  he  drew  himself  from  the  saddle, 
while  Roger,  freed  from  his  burden,  struggled  into  the 
current  and  instantly  disappeared. 

11.  As  nearly  as  Gilbert  could  ascertain,  several 
timbers,  thrown  over  each  other,  had  lodged,  probably 
upon  a rocky  islet  in  the  stream,  the  uppermost  one 
projecting  slantingly  out  of  the  flood.  It  required  all 
his  strength  to  resist  the  current  which  sucked,  and 
whirled,  and  tugged  at  his  body,  and  to  climb  high 
enough  to  escape  its  force,  without  overbalancing  his 
support.  At  last,  though  still  half  immerged,  he 

(4.-16.) 


242 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


found  himself  comparatively  safe  for  a time,  yet  as 
far  as  ever  from  a final  rescue. 

12.  Yet  a new  danger  now  assailed  him,  from  the 
increasing  cold.  There  was  already  a sting  of  frost, 
a breath  of  ice,  in  the  wind.  In  another  hour  the  sky 
was  nearly  swept  bare  of  clouds,  and  he  could  note  the 
lapse  of  the  night  by  the  sinking  of  the  moon.  But 
he  was  by  this  time  hardly  in  a condition  to  note  any 
thing  more. 

Definitions. — 1.  In-te^mi-na-ble,  endless.  2.  De-pr&ssed7,  low- 
ered. 3.  Tur'bid,  muddy.  5.  Dig-yerned7  {pro.  diz-zerned'),  made 
out , distinguished.  6.  Seething,  boiling , bubbling.  7.  Im-pedfing, 
hindering , obstructing.  In-un-da'tion,  a flood.  9.  On/s§t,  a rush- 
ing upon , attach.  11.  Im-merged',  plunged  under  a liquid.  12. 
Lapse,  a gradual  passing  away. 


LXXXVI.  BRANDYWINE  FORD. 

(Concluded.) 

1.  The  moon  was  low  in  the  .^vest,  and  there  was  a 
pale  glimmer  of  the  coming  dawn  in  the  sky,  when 
Gilbert  Potter  suddenly  raised  his  head.  Above  the 
noise  of  the  water  and  the  whistle  of  the  wind,  he 
heard  a familiar  sound, — the  shrill,  sharp  neigh  of  a 
horse.  Lifting  himself  with  great  exertion,  to  a sit- 
ting posture,  he  saw  two  men,  on  horseback,  in  the 
flooded  meadow,  a little  below  him.  They  stopped, 
seemed  to  consult,  and  presently  drew  nearer. 

2.  Gilbert  tried  to  shout,  but  the  muscles  of  his 
throat  were  stiff,  and  his  lungs  refused  to  act.  The 
horse  neighed  again.  This  time  there  was  no  mistake; 


FOURTH  READER. 


243 


it  was  Roger  that  he  heard!  Voice  came  to  him,  and 
he  cried  aloud, — a hoarse,  strange,  unnatural  cry. 

The  horsemen  heard  it,  and  rapidly  pushed  up  the 
bank,  until  they  reached  a point  directly  opposite  to 
him.  The  prospect  of  escape  brought  a thrill  of  life 
to  his  frame;  he  looked  around  and  saw  that  the  flood 
had  indeed  fallen. 

3.  “We  have  no  rope,”  he  heard  one  of  the  men 
say.  “How  shall  we  reach  him?” 

“ There  is  no  time  to  get  one  now,”  the  other  an- 
swered. “ My  horse  is  stronger  than  yours.  I ’ll  go 
into  the  creek  just  below,  where  it’s  broader  and  not 
so  deep,  and  work  my  way  up  to  him.” 

“ But  one  horse  can’t  carry  both.” 

“His  will  follow,  be  sure,  when  it  sees  me.” 

4.  As  the  last . speaker  moved  away,  Gilbert  saw  a 
led-horse  plunging  through  the  water  beside  the  other. 
It  was  a difficult  and  dangerous  undertaking.  The 
horseman  and  the  loose  horse  entered  the  main  stream 
below,  where  its  divided  channel  met  and  broadened, 
but  it  was  still  above  the  saddle  girths,  and  very  swift. 

5.  Sometimes  the  animals  plunged,  losing  their  foot- 
hold ; nevertheless,  they  gallantly  breasted  the  current, 
and  inch  by  inch  worked  their  way  to  a point  about 
six  feet  below  Gilbert.  It  seemed  impossible  to  ap- 
proach nearer. 

“Can  you  Swim?”  asked  the  man. 

Gilbert  shook  his  head.  “ Throw  me  the  end  of 
Roger’s  bridle!”  he  then  cried. 

6.  The  man  unbuckled  the  bridle  and  threw  it, 
keeping  the  end  of  the  rein  in  his  hand.  Gilbert  tried 
to  grasp  it,  but  his  hands  were  too  numb.  He  man- 
aged, however,  to  get  one  arm  and  his  head  through 
the  opening,  and  relaxed  his  hold  on  the  log. 


244 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


7.  A plunge,  and  the  man  had  him  by  the  collar 
He  felt  himself  lifted  by  a strong  arm  and  laid  across 
Roger’s  saddle.  With  his  failing  strength  and  stiff 
limbs,  it  was  no  slight  task  to  get  into  place;  and  the 
return,  though  less  laborious  to  the  horses,  was  equally 
dangerous,  because  Gilbert  was  scarcely  able  to  support 
himself  without  help. 

“ You  ’re  safe  now,”  said  the  man,  when  they 
reached  the  bank,  “but  it’s  a downright  mercy  of 
God  that  you  ’re  alive  ! ” 

8.  The  other  horseman  joined  them,  and  they  rode 
slowly  across  the  flooded  meadow.  They  had  both 
thrown  their  cloaks  around  Gilbert,  and  carefully 
steadied  him  in  the  saddle,  one  on  each  side.  He  was 
too  much  exhausted  to  ask  how  they  had  found  him, 
or  whither  they  were  taking  him, — too  numb  for  curi- 
osity, almost  for  gratitude. 

9.  “ Here ’s  your  savior ! ” said  one  of  the  men,  pat- 
ting Roger’s  shoulder.  “ It  was  through  him  that  we 
found  you.  Do  you  wish  to  know  how?  Well  — 
about  three  o’clock  it  was,  maybe  a little  earlier,  may- 
be a little  later,  my  wife  woke  me  up.  ‘Do  you  hear 
that?’  she  said. 

10.  “ I listened  and  heard  a horse  in  the  lane  before 
the  door,  neighing, — I can’t  tell  you  exactly  how  it 
was, — as  though  he  would  call  up  the  house.  It  was 
rather  queer,  I thought,  so  I got  up  and  looked  out 
of  the  window,  and  it  seemed  to  me  he  had  a saddle 
on.  He  stamped,  and  pawed,  and  then  he  gave 
another  neigh,  and  stamped  again. 

11.  “Said  I to  my  wife,  ‘There  is  something  wrong 
here,’  and  I dressed  and  went  out.  When  he  saw  me, 
he  acted  in  the  strangest  way  you  ever  saw ; thought  I, 
if  ever  an  animal  wanted  to  speak,  that  animal  does. 


FOURTH  READER. 


245 


When  I tried  to  catch  him,  he  shot  off,  ran  down  the 
lane  a bit,  and  then  came  back  acting  as  strangely  as 
ever. 

12.  “ I went  into  the  house  and  woke  up  my  brother, 
here,  and  we  saddled  our  horses  and  started.  Away 
went  yours  ahead,  stopping  every  minute  to  look 
around  and  see  if  we  followed.  When  we  came  to  the 
water  I rather  hesitated,  but  it  was  of  no  use;  the 
horse  would  have  us  go  on  and  on,  till  we  found  you, 
I never  heard  of  such  a thing  before,  in  all  my  life.” 
Gilbert  did  not  speak,  but  two  large  tears  slowly  gath- 
ered in  his  eyes,  and  rolled  down  his  cheeks.  The 
men  saw  his  emotion,  and  respected  it. 

13.  In  the  light  of  the  cold,  keen  dawn,  they  reached 
a snug  farm-house,  a mile  from  the  Brandywine.  The 
men  lifted  Gilbert  from  the  saddle,  and  would  have 
carried  him  immediately  into  the  house,  but  he  first 
leaned  upon  Roger’s  neck,  took  the  faithful  creature’s 
head  in  his  arms,  and  kissed  it. 

Definitions. — 2.  Prbs'pect,  ground  or  reason  for  hoping , antic- 
ipation. 5.  Breasted  (pro.  brSst'ed),  opposed  courageously.  6. 
Numb,  without  the  power  of  feeling  or  motion.  Re-l&xed7,  loosened . 
12.  E-mo'tion,  excited  feeling , agitation . 


LXXXVII.  THE  BEST  CAPITAL. 


Louisa  May  Alcott  was  born  at  Germantown,  Pa.,  and  among  other 
works  has  written  many  beautiful  stories  for  children.  During  the  Civil 
War  she  was  a hospital  nurse  at  Washington.  The  following  selection  is 
adapted  from  “ Little  Men.” 

1.  One  would  have  said  that  modest  John  Brooke, 
in  his  busy,  quiet,  humble  life,  had  had  little  time  to 
make  friends;  but  now  they  seemed  to  start  up  every- 


246 


ECLECTIC  SERIES . 


where, — old  and  young,  rich  and  pooi*,  high  and  low; 
for  all  unconsciously  his  influence  had  made  itself 
widely  felt,  his  virtues  were  remembered,  and  his  hid- 
den charities  rose  up  to  bless  him. 

2.  The  group  about  his  coffin  was  a far  more  elo- 
quent eulogy  than  any  that  man  could  utter.  There 
were  the  rich  men  whom  he  had  served  faithfully  for 
years;  the  poor  old  women  whom  he  cherished  with 
his  little  store,  in  memory  of  his  mother ; the  wife  to 
whom  he  had  given  such  happiness  that  death  could 
not  mar  it  utterly;  the  brothers  and  sisters  in  whose 
hearts  he  had  made  a place  for  ever;  the  little  son 
and  daughter  who  already  felt  the  loss  of  his  strong 
arm  and  tender  voice;  the  young  children,  sobbing  for 
their  kindest  playmate,  and  the  tall  lads,  watching 
with  softened  faces  a scene  which  they  never  could 
forget. 

3.  That  evening,  as  the  Plumfield  boys  sat  on  the 
steps,  as  usual,  in  the  mild  September  moonlight,  they 
naturally  fell  to  talking  of  the  event  of  the  day. 

Emil  began  by  breaking  out  in  his  impetuous  way, 
“ Uncle  Fritz  is  the  wisest,  and  Uncle  Laurie  the  j oili- 
est, but  Uncle  John  was  the  best;  and  IM  rather  be 
like  him  than  any  man  I ever  saw.” 

4.  “So  would  I.  Did  you  hear  what  those  gentle- 
men said  to  Grandpa  to-day?  I would  like  to  have 
that  said  of  me  when  I was  dead;”  and  Franz  felt 
with  regret  that  he  had  not  appreciated  Uncle  John 
enough. 

“What  did  they  say?”  asked  Jack,  who  had  been 
much  impressed  by  the  scenes  of  the  day. 

5.  “ Why,  one  of  the  partners  of  Mr.  Laurence, 
where  Uncle  John  has  been  ever  so  long,  was  saying 
that  he  was  conscientious  almost  to  a fault  as  a busi- 


FOURTH  READER . 


247 


ness  man,  and  above  reproach  in  all  things.  Another 
gentleman  said  no  money  could  repay  the  fidelity  and 
honesty  with  which  Uncle  John  had  served  him,  and 
then  Grandpa  told  them  the  best  of  all. 

6.  “ Uncle  John  once  had  a place  in  the  office  of  a 
man  who  cheated,  and  when  this  man  wanted  uncle  to 
help  him  do  it,  uncle  would  n’t,  though  he  was  offered 
a big  salary.  The  man  was  angry,  and  said,  ‘ You 
will  never  get  on  in  business  with  such  strict  princi- 
ples;’ and  uncle  answered  back,  ‘I  never  will  try  to 
get  on  without  them,’  and  left  the  place  for  a much 
harder  and  poorer  one.” 

7.  “Good!”  cried  several  of  the  boys  warmly,  for 
they  were  in  the  mood  to  understand  and  value  the 
little  story  as  never  before. 

“He  wasn’t  rich,  was  he?”  asked  Jack. 

“No.” 

“He  never  did  any  thing  to  make  a stir  in  the 
world,  did  he?” 

“ No.” 

“ He  was  only  good  ? ” 

“That’s  all;”  and  Franz  found  himself  wishing 
that  Uncle  John  had  done  something  to  boast  of,  for 
it  was  evident  that  Jack  was  disappointed  by  his  re- 
plies. 

8.  “Only  good.  That  is  all  and  every  thing,”  said 
Uncle  Fritz,  who  had  overheard  the  last  few  words, 
and  guessed  what  was  going  on  in  the  minds  of  the 
lads. 

“Let  me  tell  you  a little  about  John  Brooke,  and 
you  will  see  why  men  honor  him,  and  why  he  was  sat- 
isfied to  be  good  rather  than  rich  or  famous.  He  sim- 
ply did  his  duty  in  all  things,  and  did  it  so  cheerfully, 
so  faithfully,  that  it  kept  him  patient,  brave,  and 


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ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


happy,  through  poverty  and  loneliness  and  years  of 
hard  work. 

9.  “He  was  a good  son,  and  gave  up  his  own  plans 
to  stay  and  live  with  his  mother  while  she  needed 
him.  He  was  a good  friend,  and  taught  your  Uncle 
Laurie  much  beside  his  Greek  and  Latin,  did  it  un- 
consciously, perhaps,  by  showing  him  an  example  of 
an  upright  man. 

10.  “ He  was  a faithful  servant,  and  made  himself 
so  valuable  to  those  who  employed  him  that  they  will 
find  it  hard  to  fill  his  place.  He  was  a good  husband 
and  father,  so  tender,  wise,  and  thoughtful,  that  Lau- 
rie and  I learned  much  of  him,  and  only  knew  how 
well  he  loved  his  family  when  we  discovered  all  he 
had  done  for  them,  unsuspected  and  unassisted.” 

11.  Uncle  Fritz  stopped  a minute,  and  the  boys  sat 
like  statues  in  the  moonlight  until  he  went  on  again, 
in  a subdued  and  earnest  voice:  “As  he  lay  dying,  I 
said  to  him,  ‘Have  no  care  for  your  wife  and  the  little 
ones;  I will  see  that  they  never  want/  Then  he 
smiled  and  pressed  my  hand,  and  answered,  in  his 
cheerful  way,  ‘No  need  of  that;  I have  cared  for 
them/ 

12.  “And  so  he  had,  for  when  we  looked  among  his 
papers,  all  was  in  order, — not  a debt  remained;  and 
safely  put  away  was  enough  to  keep  his  wife  comfort- 
able and  independent.  Then  we  knew  why  he  had 
lived  so  plainly,  denied  himself  so  many  pleasures, 
except  that  of  charity,  and  worked  so  hard  that  I fear 
he  shortened  his  good  life. 

13.  “He  never  asked  help  for  himself,  though  often 
for  others,  but  bore  his  own  burden  and  worked  out 
his  own  task  bravely  and  quietly.  No  one  can  say  a 
word  of  complaint  against  him,  so  just  and  generous 


FOURTH  READER . 


249 


and  kind  was  he;  and  now,  when  he  is  gone,  all  find 
so  much  to  love  and  praise  and  honor,  that  I am  proud 
to  have  been  his  friend,  and  would  rather  leave  my 
children  the  legacy  he  leaves  his  than  the  largest 
fortune  ever  made. 

14.  “Yes!  simple,  genuine  goodness  is  the  best  cap- 
ital to  found  the  business  of  this  life  upon.  It  lasts 
when  fame  and  money  fail,  and  is  the  only  riches  we 
can  take  out  of  this  world  with  us.  Remember  that, 
my  boys;  and,  if  you  want  to  earn  respect  and  confi- 
dence and  love,  follow  in  the  footsteps  of  John 
Brooke.” 

Definitions. — 2.  Eu'lo-gy,  a speech  or  writing  in  praise  of  the 
character  of  a person . Cherished,  supported , nurtured  with  care. 
4.  Ap-pre'ci-at-ed  {pro.  ap-pre'shi-at-ed),  valued  justly.  5.  C6n- 
sci-en'tious  {pro.  kdn-shi-en'shus),  governed  by  a strict  regard  to 
the  rules  of  right  and  ivrong.  7.  Mood,  state  of  mind , disposition. 
11.  Sub-dued/,  reduced  to  tenderness , softened.  12.  In-de-pend'ent, 
not  relying  on  others.  13.  Leg/a-gy,  a gift  by  will , a bequest.  14. 
Cap'i-tal,  stock  employed  in  any  business. 


LXXXVIII.  THE  INCHCAPE  ROCK. 

Robert  Southey  was  a celebrated  English  poet,  born  in  1774,  who  once 
held  the  honorable  position  of  poet  laureate.  He  wrote  a great  deal  both 
in  prose  and  verse. 


1.  No  stir  in  the  air,  no  stir  in  the  sea, 

The  ship  was  as  still  as  she  could  be, 

Her  sails  from  heaven  received  no  motion, 
Her  keel  was  steady  in  the  ocean. 

2.  Without  either  sign  or  sound  of  their  shock 
The  waves  flowed  over  the  Inchcape  Rock; 
So  little  they  rose,  so  little  they  fell, 

They  did  not  move  the  Inchcape  Bell. 


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ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


3.  The  good  old  Abbot  of  Aberbrothok 

Had  placed  that  bell  on  the  Inchcape  Rock; 
On  a buoy  in  the  storm  it  floated  and  swung. 
And  over  the  waves  its  warning  rung.^ 

4.  When  the  Rock  was  hid  by  the  surges’  swell, 
The  mariners  heard  the  warning  bell ; 

And  then  they  knew  the  perilous  Rock, 

And  blest  the  Abbot  of  Aberbrothok. 

5.  The  sun  in  heaven  was  shining  gay, 

All  things  were  joyful  on  that  day; 

The  sea-birds  screamed  as  they  wheeled  round, 
And  there  was  joyance  in  their  sound. 

6.  The  buoy  of  the  Inchcape  Bell  was  seen 
A darker  speck  on  the  ocean  green; 

Sir  Ralph  the  Rover  walked  his  deck, 

And  he  fixed  his  eye  on  the  darker  speck. 

7.  He  felt  the  cheering  power  of  spring, 

It  made  him  whistle,  it  made  him  sing; 

His  heart  was  mirthful  to  excess, 

But  the  Rover’s  mirth  was  wickedness. 

8.  His  eye  was  on  the  Inchcape  float; 

Quoth  he,  “My  men  put  out  the  boat, 

And  row  me  to  the  Inchcape  Rock, 

And  I’ll  plague  the  Abbot  of  Aberbrothok.” 

9.  The  boat  is  lowered,  the  boatmen  row, 

And  to  the  Inchcape  Rock  they  go; 

Sir  Ralph  bent  over  from  the  boat, 

And  he  cut  the  bell  from  the  Inchcape  float. 


FOURTH  READER. 


251 


10.  Down  sunk  the  bell,  with  a gurgling  sound, 

The  bubbles  rose  and  burst  around; 

Quoth  Sir  Ralph,  “The  next  who  conies  to  the 
Rock, 

Won't  bless  the  Abbot  of  Aberbrothok.” 

11.  Sir  Ralph  the  Rover  sailed  away, 

He  scoured  the  seas  for  many  a day; 

And  now  grown  rich  with  plundered  store, 

He  steers  his  course  for  Scotland's  shore. 


252 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


12.  So  thick  a haze  overspreads  the  sky 
They  can  not  see  the  sun  on  high; 

The  wind  hath  blown  a gale  all  day, 

At  evening  it  hath  died  away. 

13.  On  the  deck  the  Rover  takes  his  stand, 

So  dark  it  is  they  see  no  land. 

Quoth  Sir  Ralph,  “It  will  be  lighter  soon, 

For  there  is  the  dawn  of  the  rising  moon.” 

14.  “Can’st  hear,”  said  one,  “the  breakers  roar? 

For  methinks  we  should  be  near  the  shore.” 
“Now  where  we  are  I can  not  tell, 

But  I wish  I could  hear  the  Inchcape  Bell.” 

15.  They  hear  no  sound,  the  swell  is  strong; 

Though  the  wind  hath  fallen,  they  drift  along, 
Till  the  vessel  strikes  with  a shivering  shock: 
Cried  they,  “It  is  the  Inchcape  Rock!” 

16.  Sir  Ralph  the  Rover  tore  his  hair, 

He  curst  himself  in  his  despair; 

The  waves  rush  in  on  every  side, 

The  ship  is  sinking  beneath  the  tide. 

17.  But  even  in  his  dying  fear 

One  dreadful  sound  could  the  Rover  hear, 

A sound  as  if  with  the  Inchcape  Bell 
The  fiends  below  were  ringing  his  knell. 

Definitions. — 1.  Keel,  the  principal  timber  in  a ship , extending 
from  bow  to  stern , at  the  bottom.  3.  Buoy  ( pro.  bwoy  or  bwoy), 
a floating  mark  to  point  out  the  position  of  rocks , etc .,  beneath  the 
ivater.  4.  Surge,  a large  wave.  5.  Joy'ance,  gayety.  11. 
Scoured,  roved  over , ranged  about.  Store,  that  which  is  massed  to- 
gether. 14.  Me-thinks',  it  seems  to  me.  17.  Fiend§  {pro.  fendg), 


FOURTH  READER. 


253 


evil  spirits.  Kn&ll  (pro.  n&l),  the  stroke  of  a bell  rung  at  a funeral 
or  at  the  death  of  a person. 

Notes. — The  above  poem  was  written  at  Bristol,  England,  in 
1802,  and  recounts  an  old  tradition. 

2.  The  Inchcape  Rock  is  at  the  entrance  of  the  Frith  of  Tay, 
Scotland,  about  fifteen  miles  from  shore. 


LXXXIX.  MY  MOTHER’S  GRAVE. 

1.  It  was  thirteen  years  since  my  mother’s  death, 
when,  after  a long  absence  from  my  native  village,  I 
stood  beside  the  sacred  mound  beneath  which  I had 
seen  her  buried.  Since  that  mournful  period,  a great 
change  had  come  over  me.  My  childish  years  had 
passed  away,  and  with  them  my  youthful  character. 
The  world  was  altered,  too;  and  as  I stood  at  my 
mother’s  grave,  I could  hardly  realize  that  I was  the 
same  thoughtless,  happy  creature,  whose  cheeks  she  so 
often  kissed  in  an  excess  of  tenderness. 

2.  But  the  varied  events  of  thirteen  years  had  not 
effaced  the  remembrance  of  that  mother’s  smile.  It 
seemed  as  if  I had  seen  her  but  yesterday — as  if  the 
blessed  sound  of  her  well-remembered  voice  was  in  my 
ear.  The  gay  dreams  of  my  infancy  and  childhood 
were  brought  back  so  distinctly  to  my  mind  that,  had 
it  not  been  for  one  bitter  recollection,  the  tears  I shed 
would  have  been  gentle  and  refreshing. 

3.  The  circumstance  may  seem  a trifling  one,  but 
the  thought  of  it  now  pains  my  heart ; and  I relate  it, 
that  those  children  who  have  parents  to  love  them 
may  learn  to  value  them  as  they  ought.  My  mother 
had  been  ill  a long  time,  and  I had  become  so  accus- 


254 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


tomed  to  her  pale  face  and  weak  voice,  that  I was  not 
frightened  at  them,  as  children  usually  are.  At  first, 
it  is  true,  I sobbed  violently;  but  when,  day  after  day, 
I returned  from  school,  and  found  her  the  same,  I 
began  to  believe  she  would  always  be  spared  to  me; 
but  they  told  me  she  would  die. 

4.  One  day  when  I had  lost  my  place  in  the  class, 
I came  home  discouraged  and  fretful.  I went  to  my 
mother’s  chamber.  She  was  paler  than  usual,  but  she 
met  me  with  the  same  affectionate  smile  that  always 
welcomed  my  return.  Alas ! when  I look  back 
through  the  lapse  of  thirteen  years,  I think  my  heart 
must  have  been  stone  not  to  have  been  melted  by  it. 
She  requested  me  to  go  down  stairs  and  bring  her  a 
glass  of  water.  I pettishly  asked  her  why  she  did  not 
call  a domestic  to  do  it.  With  a look  of  mild  re- 
proach, which  I shall  never  forget  if  I live  to  be  a 
hundred  years  old,  she  said,  “ Will  not  my  daughter 
bring  a glass  of  water  for  her  poor,  sick  mother?” 

5.  I went  and  brought  her  the  water,  but  I did  not 
do  it  kindly.  Instead  of  smiling,  and  kissing  her  as 
I had  been  wont  to  do,  I set  the  glass  down  very 
quickly,  and  left  the  room.  After  playing  a short 
time,  I went  to  bed  without  bidding  my  mother  good- 
night; but  when  alone  in  my  room,  in  darkness  and 
silence,  I remembered  how  pale  she  looked,  and  how 
her  voice  trembled  when  she  said,  “ Will  not  my 
daughter  bring  a glass  of  water  for  her  poor,  sick 
mother?”  I could  not  sleep.  I stole  into  her  cham- 
ber to  ask  forgiveness.  She  had  sunk  into  an  easy 
slumber,  and  they  told  me  I must  not  waken  her. 

6.  I did  not  tell  any  one  what  troubled  me,  but 
stole  back  to  my  bed,  resolved  to  rise  early  in  the 
morning  and  tell  her  how  sorry  I was  for  my  con- 


FOURTH  READER. 


255 


duct.  The  sun  was  shining  brightly  when  I awoke, 
and,  hurrying  on  my  clothes,  I hastened  to  my  mother’s 
chamber.  She  was  dead ! She  never  spoke  more  — 
never  smiled  upon  me  again;  and  when  I touched  the 
hand  that  used  to  rest  upon  my  head  in  blessing,  it 
was  so  cold  that  it  made  me  start. 

7.  I bowed  down  by  her  side,  and  sobbed  in  the 
bitterness  of  my  heart.  I then  wished  that  I might 
die,  and  be  buried  with  her;  and,  old  as  I now 
am,  I would  give  worlds,  were  they  mine  to  give, 
could  my  mother  but  have  lived  to  tell  me  she  for- 
gave my  childish  ingratitude.  But  I can  not  call  her 
back;  and  when  I stand  by  her  grave,  and  whenever 
I think  of  her  manifold  kindness,  the  memory  of  that 
reproachful  look  she  gave  me  will  bite  like  a serpent 
and  sting  like  an  adder. 


Definitions. — 1.  Mournful,  full  of  sorrow.  Re'al-ize,  to  cause 
to  seem  real.  Ex-^ess7,  that  which  goes  beyond  what  is  usual.  2. 
Varied,  different.  Ef-fa^ed7,  worn  away.  Pet7tish-ly,  in  an  ill- 
tempered  way.  6.  Re-solved7,  determined.  7.  In-grat7i-tude,  un- 
thankfulness.  Man7i-fold,  various , multiplied. 


XC.  A MOTHER’S  GIFT— THE  BIBLE. 

1.  Remember,  love,  who  gave  thee  this, 
When  other  days  shall  come, 

When  she  who  had  thine  earliest  kiss, 
Sleeps  in  her  narrow  home. 
Remember!  ’twas  a mother  gave 
The  gift  to  one  she’d  die  to  save! 


256 


ECLECTIC  SERIES. 


2.  That  mother  sought  a pledge  of  love, 

The  holiest  for  her  son, 

And  from  the  gifts  of  God  above, 

To  choose  a goodly  one; 

She  chose  for  her  beloved  boy, 

The  source  of  light,  and  life,  and  joy. 

3.  She  bade  him  keep  the  gift,  that,  when 

The  parting  hour  should  come, 

They  might  have  hope  to  meet  again 
In  an  eternal  home. 

She  said  his  faith  in  this  would  be 
Sweet  incense  to  her  memory. 

4.  And  should  the  scoffer,  in  his  pride, 

Laugh  that  fond  faith  to  scorn, 

And  bid  him  cast  the  pledge  aside, 
That  he  from  youth  had  borne, 

She  bade  him  pause,  and  ask  his  breast 
If  she  or  he  had  loved  him  best. 

5.  A parent’s  blessing  on  her  son 

Goes  with  this  holy  thing; 

The  love  that  would  retain  the  one, 
Must  to  the  other  cling. 

Remember!  ’tis  no  idle  toy: 

A mother’s  gift!  remember,  boy. 


Definitions. — 2.  Pledge,  proof \ evidence.  3.  Intense,  some- 
thing offered  in  honor  of  any  one . Faith,  belief.  4.  Sc6ff/er,  one 
who  laughs  at  what  is  good. 


/ 


